Smoking rates in youth decreased but replaced by marijuana use: report

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According to a recent study done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of high school students smoking cigarettes and tobacco have dropped. However, parents will not be so thrilled to hear that the same study also concluded that more teens are smoking pot, more than doubling the previous number.

Statistics from 1997 to 2013 were included in the study conducted by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The figures indicate that in 2013, 30 percent of white, black and Hispanic teens still smoke cigarettes, tobacco or marijuana.

In a report by Stateline, states are said to be looking into legalizing marijuana while increasing the legal age for smoking cigarettes.

Hawaii has already successfully increased the age from the previous 18 years to 21. Several other states are starting to follow suit including Washington, Rhode Island and New York among others, the report adds.

It is believed that this delay will deter teens from becoming chronic smokers. In Stateline's report, Senator Rosalyn Baker of Hawaii stated, "If you can keep individuals from beginning to smoke until they're at least 21, then you have a much greater chance of them never becoming lifelong smokers."

Legalization of marijuana in some states may give teens mixed signals. In Health Day's report, Dr. Tim McAfee, the Office on Smoking and Health director for CDC, states that believing that marijuana is harmless may be driving the increase of use in teens.

"Over the last 10 or 15 years, there has been a change in public perception of marijuana. There is the idea that marijuana is not something you need to worry about," Dr. McAfee was quoted on Health Day.

Dr. Tim McAfee voiced the same concern on WSB Radio. According to McAfee, regular use of marijuana does affect the brain, especially in adolescent users.

CDC researchers suggest continuing the use of various programs to deter people from smoking. According to Health Day, an increasing number of people are trying to kick the habit.

On the same report, lead researcher Rene Lavinghouze offered a few suggestions to help reduce the number of people smoking and people help quit. This included executing broader smoke-free laws, using media campaigns to educate the general public and providing access to support groups for people who want to quit.

Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids vice president Vince Willore added a few suggestions of his own such as increasing tobacco taxes and providing funds for prevention programs.