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Here is the latest report on teen tobacco use from SAMHSA.

First read the brief Associated Press Summary, and then excerpts from SAMSA's press release and fact summary.

To read the entire report, click here

--Teens: The portion of teens, ages 12 to 17, saying they ever had used drugs fell from 18.8 percent in 1997 to 16.4 percent last year.

--Cigarettes: Some 60 million Americans age 12 and older said they were current smokers, down from 29.6 percent in 1997. Among young adults, the percentage has steadily increased from 34.6 percent in 1994 to 41.6 percent last year.

--Cigars: Use increased to 6.9 percent last year, compared with 5.9 percent in 1997.

--Tobacco: The rate of young adult smoking increased from 34.6 percent in 1994 to 40.6 percent in 1997 and 41.6 percent last year.

--Teen-age smoking: Teens who smoked were 11.4 times more likely to use illegal drugs and 16 times more likely to be heavy drinkers than their non-smoking peers.

According to today's survey, an estimated 60 million Americans age 12 and older reported current cigarette use in 1998. This estimate represents a rate of 27.7 percent, which is a statistically significant decline from the 1997 rate of 29.6 percent and the lowest rate ever recorded by this survey. However, the rate of current cigar use among those 12 and older increased from 5.9 percent in 1997 to 6.9 percent in 1998, a statistically significant increase.

The survey also noted an estimated 2.1 million people began smoking cigarettes daily in 1997, the most recent year available. More than half of these new smokers were younger than age 18, which translates to more than 3,000 new youth smokers each day. In 1998, an estimated 4.1 million youth age 12-17 (18.2 percent) were current cigarette smokers. There was no significant change in this rate from 19.9 percent in 1997.

Tobacco

* The current rate of smoking among young adults age 18-25 has increased from 34.6 percent in 1994 to 40.6 percent in 1997 and 41.6 percent in 1998.

* Youths age 12-17 who currently smoked cigarettes were 11.4 times more likely to use illicit drugs and 16 times more likely to drink heavily than nonsmoking youths.

* The survey also found that drug use among youths was higher among those who were currently using cigarettes and alcohol, compared with youths not using these substances.

* An estimated 5.6 percent of youths age 12-17 were current cigar smokers in 1998. This compares to 5.0 percent in 1997, not a statistically significant difference.

Tobacco Use

* An estimated 60 million Americans age 12 and older reported current cigarette use, meaning smoking cigarettes at least once during the 30 days prior to the interview. This estimate represents a rate of 27.7 percent, which is a statistically significant decline from the 1997 rate of 29.6 percent.

* The current rate of smoking among young adults age 18-25 has increased from 34.6 percent in 1994 to 40.6 percent in 1997 and 41.6 percent in 1998.

* An estimated 18.2 percent of youths age 12-17, or 4.1 million, were current cigarette smokers in 1998. There was no significant change in this rate between 1997 (19.9 percent) and 1998; the rate for this group has remained relatively stable since 1988.

* Youths age 12-17 who currently smoked cigarettes were 11.4 times more likely to use illicit drugs and 16 times more likely to drink heavily than nonsmoking youths.

* The rate of current cigar use among those 12 and older increased from 5.9 percent in 1997 to 6.9 percent in 1998, a statistically significant increase. An estimated 5.6 percent of youths age 12-17 were current cigar smokers in 1998. This compares to 5.0 percent in 1997, not a statistically significant difference.

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