Youth and Tobacco Use: Decrease in Smoking Rates among Middle and High School Students
Explanation:
Cigarette Smoking Decline: From 2011 to 2016, there was a noticeable decline in current cigarette smoking among middle and high school students. The percentages of students smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days decreased significantly in both groups during this period.
Comparison:
Middle School: In 2011, 4.3% of middle school students reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days. However, by 2016, this percentage had decreased to 2.2%. This shows a significant decrease in cigarette smoking among middle school students over the 5-year period.
High School: For high school students, the decrease was also evident. In 2011, 15.8% of high school students reported smoking cigarettes in the past 30 days. By 2016, this percentage had dropped to 8.0%. This indicates a substantial decline in smoking rates among high school students as well.
Conclusion:
The data clearly demonstrates that between 2011 and 2016, there was a decrease in the number of middle and high school students engaging in cigarette smoking. This decline is a positive development in efforts to reduce tobacco use among youth. It is essential to continue implementing preventive measures and education programs to further decrease smoking rates among students.