Smoking statistics continue to show an increase each year in the number of adolescents who are smoking. Despite all the evidence that smoking produces so many harmful effects and that more and more people are suffering the consequences of smoke related diseases, the statistics keep rising, particularly for adolescents. Why is it that more and more young people continue to smoke and why so many girls, in particular? Is it because they think they are invincible and have the attitude that "It won't happen to me."



Here are the Statistics:

Smoking statistics by age.

Each day, nearly 6,000 young people under 18 years of age start smoking; of these, nearly 2,000 will become regular smokers. That is almost 800,000 annually.

According to the latest smoking statistics in 2001, 90 percent of smokers begin to smoke before the age of 21. A national survey of high school students showed that the overall prevalence of current cigarette use was 28 percent. A whopping 20 percent of 12th graders smoke cigarettes daily, 12 percent of 10th graders smoke and 5.5 percent of 8th graders are smoking daily.

Number statistics.

It is estimated that at least 4.5 million U.S. adolescents are cigarette smokers; that's the equivalent of the population of the state of Alabama. If current tobacco use patterns persist, an estimated 6.4 million children will die prematurely from a smoking-related disease. Adolescents who smoke regularly find it just as hard to quit the habit as long-time smokers.

Of those adolescents who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, most report that although they would like to quit, they find advertisements that still promote youthful vigor, sexual attraction and independence, make it increasingly difficult for them.

These smoking statistics do not just affect smoking alone. Tobacco use in adolescence is associated with a range of health-compromising behaviors, including being involved in fights, carrying weapons, engaging in high-risk sexual behavior and using alcohol and other drugs.

We need to take notice of scientific research and data if we are to help our young people but statistics show that despite all our research and knowledge, they still continue to smoke every year and will continue to suffer the consequences of their decisions. It is up to us to help them make the right decisions about smoking.