The use of tobacco in this population has been shown to increase the risk of cancer, heart and lung diseases, and reproductive disorders. Among girls in middle school and high school, tobacco use has increased in recent years. About 30 percent of girls in 9th grade, almost 40 percent in grades 10 and 11, and more than 40 percent of 12th graders smoke some, with about half those percentages smoking frequently in most grades. The earlier a young woman begins to use tobacco, the more heavily she is likely to use it as an adult. Only about 13 percent of Hispanic women smoke.
Smoking is much more common among women with fewer years of education.
From 1965 to 1983, the decline in smoking prevalence was greater among men than among women. Since 1983, however, the decline has been comparable for women and men. Using tobacco increases a woman's risk of chronic health problems and premature death. Tobacco use accounts for nearly one third of all cancer deaths. An estimated 67,600 women die each year from lung cancer, which has surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths among women.