89 percent of the people who try a cigarette, do so by age 18. 71 percent of people who have ever smoked daily began by age 18. Virtually no one starts smoking during adulthood. 90 percent of new smokers are children and teens. Friends and family who smoke, tobacco advertising and promotion, and the easy availability of tobacco encourage youth to start smoking.
Cigarettes are readily available to America's children.
The same is true for anti-smoking campaigns. Two major expert bodies, The National Academy of Sciences and The Advisory Committee on Tobacco Policy and Public Health say that tax increases are far more effective than limits on cigarette advertising and educational campaigns. The text presented on these pages is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It may not represent your true individual medical situation.