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Table of Contents

Cover Story

Cover Story - Spanish Version

Mini-Lesson

Comprehension Quiz

Teacher's Guide and Worksheets

Up in Smoke

Spanish Translation

"Kids feel that everyone around them smokes," says Troy Stevens, 18. As a member of Ohio's anti-tobacco group Stand, Stevens wants kids to realize that most people don't smoke. His message: Smoking doesn't make you cool.

Youth-led programs like Stand are helping to stub out smoking in the United States. On March 8, public officials announced good news: Cigarette sales have hit a 55-year low.

Two national studies show that teen smoking is down. Still, there is work to be done. "The rates of smoking are still way too high," Corinne Husten told TFK. Husten is the head of the Office of Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control.

Fighting Fire with Fire
Smoking is an unhealthy habit. Cigarettes are loaded with harmful chemicals. Smoking can cause heart disease, lung cancer and other serious illnesses. Just being around cigarette smoke can make you sick.

In the 1990s, all 50 states went to court to fight tobacco companies. The states won money from the companies. It helps to pay for health care and anti-smoking campaigns. But this money is no match for the huge sum used to sell cigarettes.

Each day, about 4,000 kids light up for the first time. "We have to do a better job of preventing kids from smoking," says Husten. Ads that tell ugly facts about smoking help to change minds. Setting aside smoke-free areas in public places works too. Just this month, a California town banned smoking in all public places. Health experts say that they will fight until all Americans get the message.

What's the Scoop?
Should the government ban smoking in movies and TV shows aimed at kids?

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