Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Fewer Americans see smoking tobacco as bad for your health

used tobacco

The number of Americans who view smoking cigarettes as being bad for your health has gone down, according to a new report.
The perception by teenagers and young adults that heavy cigarette smoking is a high-risk activity has declined in many states, the study on substance abuse and mental health released today found.
The perceived risks of smoking one or more packs of cigarettes a day dropped between 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 in 14 states among youths aged 12 to 17, and in 31 states among those aged 18 to 25.
Perceived smoking risks also dropped in nine states among those 26 and older, said the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
According to the survey, 28 per cent of Americans questioned had used tobacco in the last month.
The state with the highest prevalence rate for tobacco use among persons aged 12 or over was West Virginia (38.4 per cent), while Utah had the lowest rate (18.4 per cent).
'No state is free from the unique impact of mental and substance use disorders,' SAMHSA administrator Pamela Hyde said.
'Data like these give states the information they can use to target their prevention and treatment activities for the greatest benefit to their residents,' she said.

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