CC tobacco stats reveal younger smokers

While less Oregonians are lighting up than years past, Coos County continues to exceed the state average. Now, some specialists fear that this trend could breed younger smokers.

According to the Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, Coos County ranks the fourth highest in tobacco consumption in the state, with roughly 27% of the adult population using tobacco products.

But the addiction starts young, with as much as 14% of 8th graders and 34% of 11th grade students using tobacco in the county.

According to Tobacco Program Coordinator, Stephen Brown, over 90%of all nicotine products are sold to people who started before age 21.

"Most long term smokers begin smoking when they're 12,13 or 14 years old and if you start at that age, you're much more likely to become addicted and become a long term smoker," says Brown.

Brown adds that one of the big misconceptions among the youth is that they think smoking and chewing is far more common then it really is. In fact, nearly three-quarters of Coos County's population doesn't use tobacco.

But despite all the education surrounding the dangers of this product, Brown says the only way to change the status quo is by limiting its public consumption.

"A community as a whole indicates to kids that smoking is not a good behavior and the best way for a community to do that is to not smoke," says Brown. "Especially to not some around children and to not smoke in public places."