A study released February 1, 1999 by the Minnesota state education
department shows that a growing number of students labeled themselves as
"heavy smokers," meaning at least half a pack of cigarettes a
day.
Barbara Yates, assistant education commissioner, commented, "We
were very, very concerned about the high smoking rates reported by young
people in the survey."
The rates are now higher in Minnesota than in
the rest of the nation. The state saw a decline in some areas, such as sexual
activity, which Yates attributes to "parents and schools and communities
com[ing] together to give some consistent messages." She added, "We
probably haven't done that yet in terms of tobacco."
Sources:
(MN) PIONEER PLANET (on-line), (2/2/99) "Survey Shows Increase
In Students Smoking Cigarettes, Pot", Paul Tosto.
USA TODAY, (2/3/99)"Minnesota", p. A10
