Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults, the new report released today by U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin, sends a powerful message: the failure of states to invest in proven policies and programs has resulted in 3 million new youth and young adult smokers, a third of whom will ultimately die from their addiction. The report also concludes that if states begin to invest in comprehensive programs today, youth tobacco use can be cut in half in just six years.
“This report underscores the critical importance of preventing tobacco use among youth and young adults,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest. “This is a wakeup call to all policymakers and community leaders that tobacco addiction is a vicious and deadly cycle that can and must come to an end.”