While most middle and high school students in Wisconsin recognize the health risks of smoking, a large number say they plan to smoke anyway, according to a new state survey.
The Wisconsin Youth Tobacco Survey, conducted last year, states that 87 percent of middle school students and 92 percent of high school students reported that they believed it was harmful to smoke one to five cigarettes a day.
However, 32 percent of middle school students and 24 percent of high school students who had never smoked said they intended to try it.
At the same time, more than 90 percent of middle and high school students acknowledged that smoking is addictive.
'The report shows signs of hope in efforts to stop tobacco use by Wisconsin youth, state Department of Health and Family Services Secretary Phyllis Dube said in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel report. 'The information also suggests there is still more work to be done.'
