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Each day over 2,000 youth under the age of 18 become daily smokers, and nearly 5,000 youth age 12 to 17 try a cigarette for the first time.1 |
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Between one-third and one-half of youth who try a cigarette will go on to become a daily smoker.2 |
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24.4 percent of all children are current smokers by the time they leave high school.3 |
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Nearly a quarter of all high school students (9-12 grades) are current smokers, including 21.2% of females and 24.6% of males.4 |
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More than 90 percent of all adult smokers begin while in their teens, or earlier, and more than half become regular, daily smokers before they reach the age of 19.5 |
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Young people with friends and family members who smoke are more likely to be smokers.6 Peer pressure can encourage smoking cessation among youth as well. |
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4.5 million youth under the age of 18 are current smokers.7 |
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61% of high school smokers report that they want to quit.8 |
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Studies have shown that early signs of heart disease and stroke can be found in adolescents who smoke.9 |
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While many smokers believe that smoking relieves stress, it is actually a major cause. Smoking only appears to reduce stress because it lessens the irritability and tension caused by the underlying nicotine addiction.10 |