Smoking rate among New York City teens was lowest on reco...( Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Health Co...),Health

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Health Commissioner Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, and Consumer Affairs Commissioner Jonathan Mintz released new data today from the 2007 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) showing that cigarette smoking among New York City teens declined by 20 percent between 2005 and 2007. The citys teen smoking rate has dropped by more than half over the past six years, from 17.6 percent in 2001 to 8.5 percent in 2007. The current rate that is about two thirds lower than the latest available national teen smoking rate of 23 percent. The Mayor linked the continuing decline which far exceeds the national decline to the Citys sustained efforts to reduce smoking among adults. Those efforts include a tax increase, the smoke-free workplace law, and TV and subway ads that graphically depict the realities of tobacco-related illnesses.

"In 2001, roughly one out of every six high school students smoked. Today, that has fallen to about one out of every 12 or about 8.5 percent of students," said Mayor Bloomberg. "The reduction in teen smoking weve achieved in New York City will eventually prevent at least 8,000 premature deaths. Ultimately, these new numbers prove what we in New York have long believed: when you take bold public health measures, you get results."

"Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in New York City and few people over the age of 18 start smoking for the first time," said Commissioner Frieden. "Preventing youth smoking will further reduce adult smoking and premature deaths in years to come. Parents should know that the strongest predictor of whether their children will smoke is if they themselves smoke."

In 2007, an estimated 20,000 students smoked cigarettes. Had smoking not declined since 2001, there would have been at least 24,000 additional teens smoking in New York City. This decrease will prevent an estimated 8,000 premature deaths. The largest recent declines in teen smoking were observ
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