Patterns of Global Tobacco Use among Young People and Implications for Future Chronic Disease Burden in Adults

Nathan R. Jones, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Charles Warren, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Samira Asma, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Data collected by the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) between 1999 and 2005 suggest the impact of tobacco use on global mortality may be even greater than previously expected. This report presents findings from 395 sites in 132 countries. The difference in current tobacco use between boys and girls is smaller than the difference among adults by gender. Use of tobacco products other than cigarettes by students is as high as cigarette smoking in many countries (nearly 10% each). Almost 1 in 5 never smokers aged 13-15 indicated they were likely to initiate smoking in the next year. Student exposure to second-hand smoke was high both at home (over 4 in 10) and in public places (over 5 in 10). High cigarette smoking among girls and high use of tobacco products other than cigarettes by both genders is troubling for the future of chronic disease and tobacco-related mortality.