General Information and Statistics

• Twenty-eight percent of teens smoked cigarettes in 2001.
• More than 4,000 teens try smoking for the first time each day.
• Adolescent tobacco users are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs than nonusers. Cigarette smokers are also more likely to get into fights, carry weapons, attempt suicide, and engage in high-risk sexual behaviors.
• Substantial reductions in current smoking prevalence were reported for all age groups except those ages 18-24 during 1993 through 2000.
• Males have higher smoking rates than females. In 2001, the current smoking rate in males was 30 percent greater than that of females.
• Whites were more likely to be current smokers than all minorities of the same age group. In 2001, 29.9 percent of whites and 15.4 percent of blacks were current smokers.
• A 2000 survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that smoking prevalence declined among young adults with greater educational achievement and financial stability.

Characteristics of a Successful TUPP On Center

• Use of nationally recognized smoking cessation programs
• Small session sizes (no larger than 10 participants)
• Job Corps community involvement in smoking prevention and cessation
• Early identification of smokers and the offering of TEAP services
• Incentives to get staff and students involved (i.e. contests)