Social, Church Activities May Protect Against Adolescent Smoking

Preventing youth smoking could take a village or a neighborhood. Church and school activities may help reduce smoking among youth in disadvantaged areas, according to a new survey. African-American youths reported less cigarette use overall than white youths. Across racial lines however, young people involved in extracurricular school activities or programs at church were less likely to smoke even though they were exposed to same neighborhood risks as the smokers.