Tobacco users also were more likely to smoke marijuana, and engage in binge drinking. They reported more sexual partners and spent more time socializing. The authors note that other research indicates an increase in smoking among young people. They warn that the trend could reverse the decline in smoking that has occurred among U.S. adults during the past 50 years. J. Richard Hickman, Jr., M.D., M.P.H., chairman of preventive and occupational medicine at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., says the findings illustrate the need for anti-smoking efforts aimed at college students.
High school is often our last organized preventive focus for many teenagers.
For those who go on to college, another opportunity arises to deter smoking in young people. Texas S.T.E.P. is an educational program and not an advocacy program. As a result we do not post advocacy position papers on this site. If you need to post advocacy position papers, please see our links page for locating an organization that may assist you.