This study can be duplicated by any parent or any other adult who cares about children's health and safety. Health is an issue because we know that tobacco is the number one preventable cause of death and illness in Nebraska, killing 2,700 Nebraskans every year. 35,000 Nebraska children currently younger than 18 will die prematurely from tobacco use. Currently, Nebraska children have one of the highest tobacco problems in the nation. This information was compiled by the Smokeless Nebraska Coalition.
Safety is an issue also.
Tobacco use by young people is a strong predictor of other risky behaviors among youth. A 1994 Surgeon General's report found that 12 to 17-year olds who reported having smoked in the past 30 days were three times more likely to smoke marijuana and 22 times more likely to use cocaine than children their age who did not smoke. Once a child breaks the law by smoking or stealing cigarettes, it is so much easier to break the law the next time with a different risky behavior, and the time after that, and the time after that, etc. The easiest way for a person to stop smoking is never to start. Hopefully, this report gives you good information for your patients.