Teen-age smoking is increasing. Ten years ago, 700,000 teen-agers a year took up smoking. Today, the figure is 1.2 million. Two-thirds of new smokers are under the age of 18.
     Michael Ericksen, director of the Centers Office on Smoking and Health, says:

     Over the past decade, adult smoking has declined by about 20%, while teen-age smoking has actually increased. It's alarming that, despite a decade of unprecedented attention to the health dangers of smoking, there are more teen-agers smoking now than there were ten years ago. Tobacco Industry opposition has hindered our ability to use the three most powerful weapons we have to reduce adolescent smoking, namely eliminating advertising, increasing price and enforcing access laws.

     Conduct a survey among high school seniors to see what percentage smoke. When did they start smoking and what influenced their taking up smoking? Were they able to buy cigarettes despite the law against sales to minors? Explore the causes and ask whether they know the consequences of smoking. Obtain the latest figures from the CDC on teen smoking.