Les plus récentes statistiques (voir le détail ci-dessous) indiquent une prévalence de 11,9% chez les adultes en 2011. Chez les jeunes, la prévalence était de 21,6% en 2000, elle est de 13,8% en 2010 mais l'on note une augmentation chez les 18-24 ans, de 12,3% à 14,6%. Même si on est loin des taux français, les antitabac Californiens demeurent mobilisés et vigilants, notant un accroissement de l'usage du tabac à chiquer chez les jeunes. C'est vrai que la Californie partait d'une prévalence moins élevée qu'en France, mais ils ont obtenu une baisse très substantielle. Quelles leçons pourrions-nous en tirer? A supposer que nos décideurs et leurs conseilleurs en aient la moindre envie? On sait l'importance d'un prix le plus élevé possible mais la différence vient surtout des budgets investis en actions efficaces, notamment médiatiques, tout au long de l'année (pas seulement pour la journée sans tabac) et tout au long des années. Cela s'est traduit par une "dénormalisation" du fait de fumer. Tant que les budgets resteront dérisoires, la prévalence restera élevée, avec ses "montagnes de chagrin", largement, totalement ignorées. Question subsidiaire pour contribuer au débat: combien les jeunes fumeurs français rapportent-ils en taxes "illicites", puisque théoriquement ces achats sont interdits? Et si on décidait de réaffecter ces profits illicites aux actions de prévention?
Friday, December 14, 2012
Report: Youth Smoking Rates Down, Smokeless Tobacco Use Rising
The smoking rate among California high school students has declined, but the use of smokeless tobacco products in the group has increased, according to a new report from the state Department of Public Health, the Sacramento Bee reports (Siders, Sacramento Bee, 12/14).
Youth-Related Findings
The report found that the smoking rate for state high school students decreased from 21.6% in 2000 to 13.8% in 2010 (State Health Officer's report, December 2012).
According to the report, smoking rates were higher at schools in neighborhoods with five or more stores that sell tobacco products than at schools in neighborhoods without any stores that sell tobacco products.
The report also found that 8.7% of retailers sold tobacco products to minors in 2012, compared with 5.6% in 2011.
Smokeless Tobacco Product Findings
According to the report, sales of non-cigarette tobacco and nicotine products increased from $77.1 million in 2001 to $210.9 million in 2011 (Siders, Sacramento Bee, 12/14).
According to the Los Angeles Times, the main types of smokeless tobacco sold in California are snuff and chewing tobacco (Gorman, Los Angeles Times, 12/13).
Other Key Findings
The report found that young adults ages 18 to 24 had the highest smoking prevalence of any age group in the state, increasing from 12.3% in 2010 to 14.6% in 2011 (Kleffman, Bay Area News Group/Contra Costa Times, 12/13).
According to the report, smoking rates among California adults decreased from 16.4% in 2001 to 12% in 2011 (Los Angeles Times, 12/13).
In addition, the report found that tobacco-related health care costs for the state will reach $6.5 billion, or about $400 per taxpayer, this year (Sacramento Bee, 12/14).
Comments
Colleen Stevens -- branch chief of the tobacco control program for DPH -- said that some smokeless tobacco products are "really flying under the radar." She said that some products are so small that they can be used in classrooms (Los Angeles Times, 12/13).
Ron Chapman -- DPH director -- said, "The economic impact of smoking is a burden for us all, even if you don't smoke" (Bay Area News Group/Contra Costa Times, 12/13). He added, "These costs are completely unnecessary and preventable if California was tobacco-free" (Los Angeles Times, 12/13).
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