THE REPORT OF THE SURGEON GENERAL - PREVENTING TOBACCO USE AMONG YOUNG-PEOPLE

This year's surgeon general's report on smoking and health is the firs t such report to focus on young people. From extensive data that indic ate that tobacco use is a pediatric epidemic, the report reached six m ajor conclusions: (1) Nearly all first use of tobacco occurs by age 18 . (2) Most adolescent smokers are addicted to nicotine. (3) Tobacco is often the first drug used by young people who subsequently use illega l drugs. (4) There are identified psychosocial risk factors for the on set of tobacco use. (5) Cigarette advertising also appears to increase young people's risk of smoking. (6) Communitywide efforts have succes sfully reduced adolescent use of tobacco. This commentary restates eac h of the six conclusions, summarizes the data that support each, and t hen considers the implications of the conclusions for public health ac tion.