ABSTRACT
Cigarette smoking is the single most important behavioral factor contributing to premature mortality in the United States. The association between cigarette smoking and increased mortality and morbidity has important implications when teenage smoking is considered. Survey data suggest that teen and early youth smoking habits are major determinants of life long cigarette consumption. The impact of both the short and long-term health consequences of smoking on teenagers is intensified when the frequency of exposure to smoking messages is considered. Although television and radio advertising of cigarettes was banned in 1971, tobacco companies still spend 800 million dollars each year promoting and advertising their products in newspapers, magazines, and billboards. Over 80 per cent of smokers and non-smokers reported seeing advertisements or programs on television which addressed the health problems caused by smoking, and more than 90 per cent of both groups felt that the programs made people aware that smoking is dangerous.
