In 2001, almost one in three (30.3 percent) of Missouri high school students reported they had smoked one or more cigarettes during the past 30 days.

In 2001, 14.9 percent of Missouri middle school students reported they had smoked one or more cigarettes during the past 30 days.

The smoking rate of Missouri's 9th grade students (27 percent) is almost that of the adult rate (27.2 percent), but the 10th grade smoking rate (29.8 percent) exceeds the adult rate, increasing in the 11th grade (29.6 percent) and peaking in the 12th grade at 35.4 percent.

In 2001, Missouri's high school smoking rate (30.3 percent) is now lower than the national average of 34.5 percent, and has declined from the 1995 rate of 40 percent.

Three out of five (60%) Missouri high school students who smoke reported trying to quit smoking.

Between 1993 and 1997, cigarette smoking among college students nationwide rose 27.8 percent, from 22.3 percent to 28.5 percent.