TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Even though cigarette use has reached an all-time low among teens, smokeless tobacco use has not decreased when compared to a decade ago.
The Florida Department of Health says, in 2014 5.4% of Florida high school students reported using the products, the same percentage as in 2004.
In North Florida, the number of teens using smokeless tobacco is higher than the state average.
Madison, Suwanee, and Wakulla Counties have the highest rates at 14.4%, 12.7%, and 12.4% respectively. The rest are listed below:
· Lafayette: 11.8%
· Taylor: 10.9%
· Hamilton: 9.9%
· Gadsden: 6.6%
· Jefferson: 6.0%
· Leon: 6.0%
Next week, Tobacco Free Florida is seeking to raise awareness about the dangers of smokeless tobacco, like chew and dip during "Through With Chew Week," a public awareness campaign to reduce the use of smokeless tobacco among young people.
