2012 U.S. Surgeon General’s Report

In December 2012, the U.S. Surgeon General published the report, “Preventing Tobacco Use Among Youth and Young Adults. Read the Surgeon General’s Report, Fact Sheet, and press release:http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/reports/preventing-youth-tobacco-use/index.html, or Lea la version en español que la Cirujana General report.

The Report notes that reductions in youth and adult smoking rates have stalled over the last few years, and research shows that keeping youth from starting smoking before age 26 is effective in keeping them from becoming addicted to nicotine and smoking. Kathleen Sebelius, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, points out:

“Each day in the United States, over 3,800 young people under 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette, and over 1,000 youth under age 18 become daily cigarette smokers. The vast majority of Americans who begin daily smoking during adolescence are addicted to nicotine by young adulthood.”

Key findings and recommendations from the 2012 Report:

• Tobacco use by youth and young adults causes both immediate and long-term damage. One of the most serious health effects is nicotine addiction, which prolongs tobacco use and can lead to severe health consequences. The younger youth are when they start using tobacco, the more likely they’ll be addicted.
  • Early cardiovascular damage is seen in most young smokers; those most sensitive die very young.
  • Smoking reduces lung function and retards lung growth. Teens who smoke are not only short of breath today, they may end up as adults with lungs that will never grow to full capacity. Such damage is permanent and increases the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
  • Youth are sensitive to nicotine and can feel dependent earlier than adults. Because of nicotine addiction, about three out of four teen smokers end up smoking into adulthood, even if they intend to quit after a few years.
  • Among youth who persist in smoking, a third will die prematurely from smoking.
• Prevention efforts must focus on young adults ages 18 through 25, too. .” Almost no one starts smoking after age 25. Nearly 9 out of 10 smokers started smoking by age 18, and 99% started by age 26. Progression from occasional to daily smoking almost always occurs by age 26.

If you’re a smoker or tobacco user, or want to help someone quit tobacco, find resources on GASP’s webpage NJ Cessation Resources.