Kentucky Youth Smoking at Historic Low

Kentucky’s youth smoking prevalence is at a historic low. According to the 2015 Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey, current smoking among Kentucky high school students has dropped from 26.2 percent to 16.9 percent, almost 10 percentage points. Officials from the Kentucky Department for Public Health attribute part of that decrease to tobacco free school policies, prohibiting the use of tobacco and alternative nicotine products on campus. Currently, only 35 percent of schools across the state have tobacco free policies, but the number is growing. Dr. Connie White, senior deputy commissioner for DPH, encourages every school district adopt 100 percent Tobacco Free School policies to create healthier, and safer, learning environments.