Health Topics
Tobacco Use

	ON THIS PAGE Data & Statistics Science-based Strategies National, State, and Local Programs References SEE ALSO Publications Links

Tobacco use, including cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, and smokeless tobacco use, is the single leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Each year smoking causes approximately 435,000 premature deaths and over 5 million years of potential life lost.¹ Every day, approximately 4,000 American youth aged 12-17 try their first cigarette.² If current patterns of smoking behavior continue, an estimated 6.4 million of today's children can be expected to die prematurely from a smoking-related disease.³ In 2005, 23% of high schools students reported current cigarette use and 14% reported current cigar use. In addition, 8% of high school students and 18% of white male high school students reported current smokeless tobacco use.⁴

Tobacco Use and the Health of Young People  

How CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health is Addressing Tobacco Use and Addiction [pdf 803K]
 

Data & Statistics

School Health Policies and Programs Study
SHPPS is a national survey periodically conducted to assess school health policies and programs at the state, district, school, and classroom levels, including those related to preventing tobacco use.

• Tobacco-Use Prevention [pdf 189K]

Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System
The YRBSS monitors behaviors that contribute markedly to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States.

• Tobacco Use (in Youth Online)
• Cigarette Use Trends [pdf 150K]
• Tobacco Use Trends [pdf 145K]
• Tobacco Use Fact Sheets. YRBS and School Health Profiles results by available states and districts.

Science-based Strategies

See School Health Guidelines: Tobacco Use for strategies most likely to be effective in preventing tobacco use and addiction among young people.

The School Health Index can help schools implement school health guidelines and related strategies. This self-assessment and planning tool enables schools to identify the strengths and weaknesses of health promotion policies and programs and assists schools in developing an action plan for improving the school environment.

Registries of Programs Effective in Reducing Youth Risk Behaviors. Various federal agencies have identified youth-related programs that they consider worthy of recommendation based on expert opinion or a review of design and research evidence. These programs focus on different health topics, risk behaviors, and settings, including tobacco use.

National, State, and Local Programs

CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) supports the development and implementation of effective health promotion policies and programs that address priority health risks among youth. For information about the actions that state agencies can implement to address these health risks, see CDC's:

	Promising Practices in Chronic Disease Prevention and Control [pdf 2MB, view abstract only]
		Ch.8:	Advancing Tobacco Control Through Evidence-Based Programs [pdf 350K]
		Ch.9:	Building a Healthier Future Through School Health Programs [pdf 400K]

Steps to a HealthierUS is an initiative from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) that advances the goal of helping Americans live longer, better, and healthier lives. The Steps Cooperative Agreement Program funds 40 communities nationwide to implement school and other community-based programs that address obesity, diabetes, and asthma, as well as their related risk behaviors: physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and tobacco use.

References

1. Fellows JL, Trosclair A, Adams EK, Rivera CC. Annual smoking attributable mortality, years of potential life lost and economic costs: United States 1995-1999. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 2002;51:300-303.
    
2. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Summary of findings from the 2001 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse: Volume II. Technical appendices and selected data tables. Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2002;NHSDA Series H-18;DHHS publication no. (SMA) 02-3759.
    
3. CDC. Office on Smoking and Health, 2002 calculations based upon: Smoking attributable mortality and years of potential life loss—United States, 1984. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 1997;46:444-451.
    
4. CDC. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States, 2005 [pdf 300K]. Morbidity & Mortality Weekly Report 2006;55(SS-5):1–108.

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Page last reviewed: November 07, 2007
Page last modified: December 12, 2007
Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health

Division of Adolescent and School Health
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Health and Human Services