It underscores the seriousness of tobacco use, its relationship to other adolescent problem behaviors, and the responsibility of all citizens to protect the health of our children. Most young people who smoke are addicted to nicotine and report that they want to quit but are unable to do so.
Tobacco is often the first drug used by young people who use alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.
Among young people, those with poorer grades and lower self-images are most likely to begin using tobacco. Cigarette advertising appears to increase young people's risk of smoking by conveying that smoking has social and even physical benefits and that it is far more common than it really is. The most effective preventive programs are community-wide ones that combine education and public policy approaches.