Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jennifer deVallance (202) 395–6618
Julie Tacinelli (202) 828–8807
November 19, 2003
Kids Trying Marijuana and Cigarettes in Nearly Equal Proportions; Youth Marijuana Use Exceeds Cigarette Use in Many Major Cities
|
(Washington, D.C.)—The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) is adding a new twist to a critical anti-smoking message. Together, with the American Lung Association and the American Cancer Society, ONDCP will call attention to the dangers that cigarette and marijuana smoke pose to young lungs. Youth and their parents can access information and resources from ONDCP on preventing youth cigarette and marijuana use.
Smoking remains the nation's leading preventable cause of death and recent surveys indicate that both tobacco and marijuana represent a significant public health threat among youth in particular:
- In 2000, 2.2 million youth under age 18 tried cigarettes for the first time and 2.1 million tried marijuana for the first time
- In 2002, 17.8 percent of 10th graders reported using marijuana and 17.7 percent of 10th graders reported using cigarettes in the past 30 days
- More high school students use marijuana than cigarettes in 13 of 14 cities surveyed in the Centers for Disease Control's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Survey, including: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando, Palm Beach, Philadelphia, San Bernardino, San Diego, and San Francisco
"Cigarettes and marijuana both put young people in danger," said John P. Walters, Director of National Drug Control Policy. "The American Cancer Society and American Lung Association have made great strides in increasing awareness of the health threat posed by tobacco smoke. We must build upon their success to help inoculate our children against the harms of marijuana."
"The most important message we can send to parents about their kids is that they can and do make a difference," said Dr. John R. Seffrin, CEO of the American Cancer Society. "Parents need to encourage a healthy and smoke-free lifestyle for their kids. The stakes for our youth are simply too high. There is no such thing as safe inhalation of smoke. Damage is done with the first inhalation and gets worse with each puff taken."
Marijuana smoke contains some of the same cancer-causing compounds as tobacco, sometimes in higher concentrations. In fact, one joint contains as many cancer-causing chemicals as four cigarettes. Research shows that cigarette smoking among youth reduces the rate of lung growth and the level of maximum lung function that can be achieved.
"There are several problems with marijuana use and lung health," said John Kirkwood, President and CEO, American Lung Association. "First are the short term problems - increased cough, mucus production, and high rates of infection. But more seriously, there are long-term consequences of heightened rates for lung cancer. It's a result of 50-70 percent more carcinogenic material in marijuana smoke than in tobacco smoke."
Parents looking for more information on teen smoking and marijuana use, including warning signs and prevention tools, can visit the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's Web site at www.TheAntiDrug.com.
The American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout® has been a part of the national effort to reduce and eliminate cigarette smoking. The 27th annual American Cancer Society Great American Smokeout® will take place on Thursday, November 20. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering, and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. Founded in 1913, the Society is headquartered in Atlanta and has 15 regional divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1–800–ACS–2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the American Lung Association works to prevent lung disease and promote lung health. The Lung Association teaches children the dangers of tobacco use and helps teenage and adult smokers overcome addiction. With the generous support of the public, the American Lung Association is "Improving life, one breath at a time." For more information about the American Lung Association, call 1–800–LUNG–USA (1–800–586–4872) or log on to www.lungusa.org.
In 1998, with bipartisan support, Congress created the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign with the goal of educating and enabling young people to reject illicit drugs. Unprecedented in size and scope, the Campaign is a strategically integrated communications effort that combines advertising with public communications outreach to deliver anti-drug messages and skills to America's youth, their parents, and other influential adults.
VIDEO/RADIO: A VNR/B-roll package will be available via satellite:
- Wednesday, November 19, 10:00–10:15 & 14:00–14:15 ET
- Telstar 5, Transponder 23 (C-Band)
- Downlink Frequency: 4160 MHz (V)
- Audio: 6. 2 & 6.8 MHz
An Audio News Release will be available starting Wednesday, November 19:
- Real: http://easylink.playstream.com/nbn/11_19_33212.rm
- Windows: http://easylink.playstream.com/nbn/11_19_33212.wax
