The National Institute of Drug Abuse's 2009 Monitoring the Future Survey shows that while the U.S. continues to make gradual progress in reducing youth smoking, declines have slowed significantly compared to the dramatic gains early in the decade.
The survey also finds that smokeless tobacco use has increased among 10th and 12th graders in recent years, a period during which tobacco companies have introduced a slew of new smokeless tobacco products and significantly increased marketing for smokeless tobacco, said Matthew L. Myers, president of Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, in a statement.
Smokeless tobacco, as traditionally sold in the U.S., has been found to increase risk of oral cancer, gum disease, and cardiovascular disease, Myers noted.
The percentage of 12th graders reporting past-month smokeless tobacco use increased from 6.1% in 2006 to 8.4% in 2009 (a 38% increase), while the percentage of 10th graders reporting smokeless tobacco use increased from 4.9% in 2004 to 6.5% in 2009 (a 33% increase), according to the survey.
The survey also found a decrease in recent years in the percentage of 10th and 12th graders who perceive regular smokeless tobacco use as a great risk to health. This decline in risk perception comes as some smokeless tobacco companies have sought to portray their products as a less hazardous alternative to cigarettes.
The Monitoring the Future survey underscores the need for elected officials at all levels to step up the fight against all forms of tobacco use, said Myers.
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