Trends in tobacco use among high school students in the United States, 1991-1995

This study examined demographic characteristics of tobacco-using high school students in the United States from 1991 through 1995. Data about cigarette smoking and smokeless tobacco use among adolescents were collected in 1991, 1993, and 1995 using the Youth Risk Behavior Survey part of the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data indicated current smoking increased 26.5% from 1991 to 1995 with one-third [31.2% (+/-1.7)] of ninth grade students and 38.2% (+/-3.5) of 12th grade students reporting current smoking in 1995. Smokeless tobacco use remained stable with 11.4% (+/-1.7) of all students and one-fourth [25.1% (+/-3.0)] of White male students reporting smokeless tobacco use in 1995. Many students already have begun using tobacco before reaching high school. Thus, interventions should begin well before high school to prevent adolescents from using and becoming addicted to tobacco.