According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, state officials announced this week youth smoking rates have dropped to their lowest points in a decade. Virginia high school students identified as regular cigarette smokers declined from 28.6 percent in 2001 to 13 percent in 2012. Middle school smoking rates also decreased from 10.6 percent to 3 percent during the same time period. Nationally, about 18 percent of high school students are regular cigarette smokers. Dr. Bill Hazel, Virginia secretary of health and human resources, attributed the decline in smoking to Virginia’s continuing campaign to prevent youth tobacco use.

Read the full story here: http://www.timesdispatch.com/entertainment-life/health/medical/youth-smoking-rates-in-virginia-drop-dramatically-in-past-decade/article_fce7729c-53bd-5e9a-bcfe-972f5b22376f.html