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Action on Smoking and Health
A National Legal-Action Antismoking Organization Entirely Supported by Tax-Deductible Contributions
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Teen Smoking Rates Decline in Maine [10/29-2]
Excerpts from: Baldacci: Fewer Maine teens lighting up
Associated
Press [10/28/03]
Smoking rates among Maine high school and middle school students have dropped
sharply since 1997, when the state launched an anti-smoking campaign, Gov. John
Baldacci said Tuesday.
"Maine has cut smoking rates in half, and we have done it in just six years," Baldacci said at a State House news conference with health officials and advocates and students. "This is not merely a good outcome. It is a phenomenal outcome."
Not only have youth smoking rates dropped, but tobacco consumption has also decreased by 28 percent from 133 packs per adult in 1997 to 96 in 2003, said state Health Director Dora Anne Mills.
Figures based on statewide health surveys show the smoking rate among high school students has dropped to a new low of 20.5 percent, a 48 percent decrease since 1997, when the comparable tobacco-use rate was 39.2 percent.
The reductions in smoking rates will save Maine taxpayers millions of dollars in health care costs as well, Baldacci said. Health advocates calculate that having 22,000 fewer children smoking avoids more than $74 million in medical costs and lost productivity.The figures come from Maine Youth Risk Behavior Surveys of sixth through 12th graders conducted every other year. The random surveys, which also measure alcohol and other drug use, sexual behavior, physical activity and dietary behavior, are conducted by a Portland polling firm. The federal government funds the surveys.
Maine has taken a number of steps since 1997 to reduce smoking rates, including increasing cigarette taxes, bolstering safeguards against sales of tobacco to youths, advertising and community and school prevention programs.
The state also has a Tobacco HelpLine, which assisted about 4,700 smokers in
quitting in 2002 _ nearly a sevenfold increase from the previous year, according
to Mills
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