We will soon be releasing our First Quarterly Report for 2011. This report addresses the first goal of tobacco control programs - preventing initiation of tobacco use. Most people who start smoking are younger than 18 years of age, so preventing adolescents from initiating tobacco is critical to reducing the burden of tobacco use on this state. This report summarizes trends in the initiation of several tobacco products among Mississippi middle and high school students.
Key Outcomes
Initiation of cigarette smoking, cigar smoking, and smokeless tobacco has decreased substantially since statewide tobacco control programs were implemented in 1999. (Source: Mississippi Youth Tobacco Survey)
Initiation of cigarette smoking among middle school students decreased by 52% since 1998, leading to 31,828 fewer middle school students who had tried smoking.
Initiation of cigarette smoking among high school students decreased by 37% since 1998, leading to 37,657 fewer middle school students who had tried smoking.
