Researchers hope that teen-to-teen influence can prevent tobacco use

By Staff Writer

A university in England recently introduced a new campaign to dissuade teenagers from smoking cigarettes.

According to Fast Company magazine, the school is set to begin an initiative where "influential" teenagers pass along the anti-smoking message to their peers in social situations. Researchers believe that kids are more likely to listen to people who are their age, as opposed to the government, their teachers or their parents.

University officials project that the new preventative measure can help stop approximately 40,000 teens from taking up the habit.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that approximately 3,900 young people between 12 and 17 years old smoke their first cigarette every day. The most recent data reveals that about 20 percent of high school students regularly smoke cigarettes.

Some of the factors that may contribute to tobacco use among children include low self-esteem, aggressive behavior and low socioeconomic status, according to the CDC. In addition, tobacco use during adolescence is associated with a high risk of sexual behavior as well as drug and alcohol use.