Posted Monday, December 10, 2012 --- 5:44 p.m.
MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- Wisconsin health officials say smoking by middle and high school students has dropped to an all-time low.
The 2012 Wisconsin Youth Tobacco Survey, released Monday, found that 13 percent of high schoolers say they smoke and 2.5 percent of middle schoolers admit to smoking. The last study in 2010 showed nearly 18 percent of high schooner and nearly 4 percent of middle schooler smoked.
The survey is done by the Wisconsin Department of Health Services and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
The 2012 figures contrast sharply with 2000, when 33 percent of high school students and 12 percent of middle school students said they smoked.
The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids says the dramatic decline means nearly 200,000 fewer Wisconsin kids will grow up to be adult smokers.
Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.
