CDC Report Show Lowest Levels in Students Smoking

According to a recent statement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking among U.S. high school students is at its lowest level in 22 years.

The data is based on the National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) which began in 1991. The results of the 2013 survey were just released from the CDC and show the decline in smoking, as well as a decrease in fighting.

The results indicate that the teen smoking rate of has dropped to 15.7 percent, which meets the national “Healthy People 2020 objective” which was to reduce adolescent cigarette use to 16 percent or less.

“It’s encouraging that high school students are making better health choices such as not fighting, not smoking, and not having sex,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “Way too many young people still smoke and other areas such as texting while driving remain a challenge. Our youth are our future. We need to invest in programs that help them make healthy choices so they live long, healthy lives.”

While the survey results are encouraging, the CDC states that reductions in overall tobacco use “remain a significant challenge,” citing other examples including national surveys which show increases in hookah and e-cigarette use.