High school smoking rates down 16 percent

BOSTON - High school student smoking rates have dropped 16% in Massachusetts in 2009, Governor Patrick announced today.

The new percentage was released today in a study "Trends in Youth Tobacco Use in Massachusetts: 1993-2009.”

The announcement was made as nearly 300 young people gathered for the state’s first “Kick Butts Day.”

The event highlighted the work young people have done to assess and lessen the impact the tobacco industry has on youth.

"Our work with young people to stop nicotine and tobacco addiction is paying off," said Governor Patrick. "Young people…have been instrumental in affecting real change in their schools and communities."

The governor has proposed removing the pricing advantage new products have over cigarettes in an effort to reduce the number of young people purchasing them.

"Many of these products don't look like they contain tobacco,” said Secretary of Health and Human Services Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. “Some look and taste like candy but they contain high levels of nicotine, and young people are becoming addicted to them."

But officials are optimistic about the future of the tobacco industry in Massachusetts. "We are winning the fight against tobacco addiction in Massachusetts, but we need to remain vigilant," said Public Health Commissioner John Auerbach. “With (young people’s) help, we are addressing these emerging issues and we are closer than ever to a future where young people can live lives free from tobacco."

To download the study mentioned please visit www.mass.gov/dph/mtcp in the Reports section.