A new study on smoking has found that fewer school-goers in the city of New York are hooked to the vice capable of destroying the lungs in the long-term. Only 11 percent of high school students in the city last year reported to be smokers as against 23 percent in 1997. State officials credited the drop in smoking in the segment to improved health education, bans on smoking in public places and heavier levies on cigarettes.

The City Hall released statistics suggested region-wise variations with Staten Island having the highest percentage of teenagers smoking of 23 percent while Harlem reported a vastly lower 6 percent. Also white female teens appeared to have a higher tendency to take up the vice with the habit reported amongst 35 percent of them.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg speaking at Manhattan’s Art and Design High School highlighted the over 50 percent drop from 1997 levels of teenage smoking. He said, “I’m quite proud of every teenager who quit or decided not to start”. However, an Art and Design sophomore and teenager, Lesley Aguirre suggested that for some the habit was linked to “problems at home”. He noted, “When the school bell rings, they take out their cigarettes…They should just talk to a guidance counselor or parent about what is bothering them, not smoke”.

Source: Earthtimes