Teen smoking down 28 percent in last five years

Michigan has been successful in snuffing out tobacco use among teens.

The state’s Department of Community Health records show smoking among teen-agers has dropped 28 percent since 1997, and 19 percent since 1999.

“There are many different factors that play into this success,” said Geralyn Lasher, Michigan Department of Community Health communication director.

Michigan Comprehensive School Health Education is the largest program that has helped with tobacco-use reduction, Lasher said.

The program is implemented in 90 percent of the public schools throughout the state.

“It covers risky behaviors and starts at a very young age. It teaches children about tobacco, alcohol, drugs and violence. The program has become part of classroom curriculum,” Lasher said.

Michigan’s advertising campaigns also have been helpful in reducing tobacco use among teens.

Billboards that read “Kissing a smoker is like licking an ashtray,” along highways are effective in influencing the youth, Lasher said.

This advertising has been an ongoing project, but has really spread in the last couple of years, she said.

“According to research, we’ve learned that the more educated a person is, the less likely they are to smoke,” said James Haveman, Michigan Department of Community Health director.

Free quit kits have been made available to Michigan residents to help them stop smoking.

“It’s so hard to quit cold turkey. The kit offers information, quitting strategies and coupons for the patch and gum,” Lasher said.

Smokers can call 1-800-537-5666 for their free quit kit.

Michigan also has enacted 294 quit-smoking programs, she said.

Visit www.mdch.state.mi.us/smoke/intro.htm to find out about these local programs.

The state also was able to cut back on teen-age smoking by working with stores.

“As more and more retailers don’t sell, access is limited. We put a lot of effort into educating store owners and employees,” Lasher said.

She said the tobacco tax also has stopped many from smoking.

“Michigan’s tax is 75 cents on a pack. We are in the top eight states for the highest tax,” Lasher said.

Adult smoking also is declining because of Michigan’s initiatives.

“Adult smoking has dropped from 26 percent in 1999 to 24 percent in 2000,” Lasher said. “As more adults quit, we hope that teens will follow their pattern.”