Tobacco Advertising Restrictions as Primary Prevention for Childhood Nicotine Addiction

Addiction to nicotine is a pediatric disease and is the only disease of children that is actively promoted by a major sector of corporate America-the tobacco industry. Every day, 3000-5000 young people become addicted to tobacco in the United States.1 Currently, approximately 13.8% of U.S. children in grades 9-12 are regular smokers and as many as 30.5% have used cigarettes in the last thirty days. In addition, approximately 20.4% of boys use smokeless tobacco,2 and their numbers are growing. These young people are "replacement smokers" who take the place of adult smokers who either quit smoking or die from a smoking-related disease. Almost 90% of people who are smokers began smoking prior to their 18th birthdays, before they could legally purchase cigarettes. Without the recruitment of young people, the "replacement smokers," the tobacco industry would soon go out of business.