Fewer high school students smoked in 2011, studies show

At the Third National Health Study determined that high school students smoked in 2011.

Three studies reported the biggest drawback of the National Youth Tobacco Survey, 17.2 percent in 2009 is 15.8 percent in 2011. The report Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was released.

Cigarette use among middle school students dropped 4.3 percent from 5.2 percent in 2011.

By comparison, the CDC said in its 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 18.1 percent of high school students smoked last year, 19.5 percent reduction in 2009.

2011 University of Michigan Monitoring the Future study found 18.7 percent of 12th grade students smoked last year. Percent of the study was the lowest of the 36-year history.

All surveys using measured over a 30-day period.

Overall, tobacco use among American teenagers has declined over the past 11 years.

"An overall decline in tobacco use is good news, but the four to five teens smoke, yet too many children start smoking every day, CDC director, Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a statement.

"Most tobacco use starts and is established during adolescence."

Youth Tobacco Study participants from all 50 states and 18 866 students and 178 middle and high schools featured.

Although 25.5 percent of the white students were more likely to use tobacco, cigar smoking increased the percentage of black students, mainly from 18.4 percent to 14 percent, rose.