Marijuana-smoking
A new Washington state school health survey finds high school students are smoking less cigarettes but more pot. (AP file)

Survey: Wash. high schoolers prefer pot to cigarettes

BY Tim Haeck  on March 14, 2013 @ 3:09 pm (Updated: 6:05 pm - 3/14/13 )

A new, school health survey in Washington shows that anti-smoking campaigns and anti-drinking messages are getting through to kids. But there are some troubling findings about marijuana use.

The 2012 Healthy Youth Survey, sponsored by four different state agencies, finds that cigarette smoking is down for all age levels. But, surprisingly, the survey found that the percentage of 10th and 12th graders who smoke marijuana is nearly double the percentage of cigarette smokers.

"Kids are thinking that maybe marijuana is not so bad," suggested state Health Secretary Mary Seleky. She thinks education campaigns that have reduced youth drinking and smoking, have not caught up with youth trends.

"There hasn't been much kind of education in and around marijuana and we just passed an initiative that says for those over 21, you can use it for recreational use so we're going to have to watch the attitudes over the next few years," said Seleky.

The survey is conducted among 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th graders every two years. It's sponsored by the state Health Department, Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Commerce and the state Liquor Control Board.

About ten percent of 10th graders admit smoking a cigarette in the previous 30 days. That's down 25 percent from 1999.

Underage alcohol use continues to decline but the survey still shows 115,000 young people who drink. Brian Smith with the Liquor Control Board urges parents to talk to their kids about drinking.

"Kids say that the number one thing that will keep them from drinking is knowing that their parents are talking to them about it and that they care," said Smith.

It's too soon to know if privatization of liquor sales will impact teen alcohol use.

"We went from about 329 outlets that were selling hard liquor to over 1,400 now so clearly, there's much more potential access for youth so we'll have to see if there's any impact down the road," said Smith. That could show up in the 2014 Healthy Youth Survey.

In terms of emotional health, while the numbers haven't changed much in that category over the last ten years, the survey shows about one-in-six students seriously considered suicide.

The 2012 survey also asked questions about sexual activity (55-percent of 12th graders had sexual intercourse), participation in school activities and school attendance (fewer students are skipping school, more report feeling safe at school).

Tim Haeck, KIRO Radio Reporter
Tim Haeck is a news reporter with KIRO Radio. While Tim is one of our go-to, no-nonsense reporters, he also has a sensationally dry sense of humor and it will surprise some to learn he is a weekend warrior.
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Comments (12)


  • Add A Comment

  • Kosh wrote...
    And why shouldnt they
    December 31, 2001 6:57 pm
    This year there is zero tax on pot. Next year it STARTS off at a 75% TAX that will bring in the state next to nothing.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    Yep!
    December 31, 2001 9:13 pm
    The Dumbocrat Party needs it's next generation of ch's and pot is the answer!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Newton wrote...
    Well its better then cigarettes by far!.
    March 14, 2013 6:11 pm
    One side of the story is marijuana is better then the cigarettes. Smoking marijuana and learning could is not a great choice for students. Students need a stress releif,ubet. School tho a stupid waste of time and programs that make no sense to learning. That takes you nowhere and makes you dumber. Students should try and learn atleast the tricks to get an A on a test. So when going to a trade school they can do well. Students smoking pot it will cloud your minds. So get your life going good early and cloud your minds after your 21.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Kosh wrote...
    I have to agree
    March 14, 2013 6:29 pm
    During school is just downright dumb and you will end up a loser just like CH.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    you will end up a loser just like CH
    March 14, 2013 7:36 pm
    a loser calling a loser a loser? You should try it bet you will like it. Students smoking pot it will cloud your minds. What clouded your mind - Glue?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • shark75 wrote...
    Everyone just needs to calm the .F. down - this study was obviously conducted prior to legalization
    March 14, 2013 7:43 pm
    A bunch of brain dead liberals agreed that pot is cool...and a little nostalgic so they voted to make it legal. The government, run by criminals, saw it was the will of their idiotic (but loyal) constituents and lifted the prohibition. At this point I don't give an.F. Let their kids smoke it and become even dumber than their genetics could ever make them and we'll sit back and enjoy the end result....
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    And why not?
    March 14, 2013 8:19 pm
    Because the Left has so glorified pot and pot smokers just like we have done alocohol and cigarettes and we expect our children to not follow our preaching?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • CH wrote...
    just like we have done alocohol and cigarettes and we expect our children to not follow our preaching?
    March 15, 2013 2:45 am
    now your a preacher? I got to go smoke more dope to picture this. Boo Hoo you should do stand up - your jokes are funny or is it just you? What your FB name. Internet Firefighter Troll? How is President Romney working out for you?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • It's me! Ha ha! wrote...
    WOW! Sit back and watch ch cry about life!
    January 1, 2002 4:16 am
    Whatsamatter ch? Someone tell you that Shake was good stuff and you fell for it again? Awwwh! EBT or WIC not paying for it? Poor little left wing loser useful idiot.

    Hey Crack Head. How is that ObamaEconomy doing for you?

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • MainEvent wrote...
    thank god!
    March 15, 2013 5:36 am
    fossils like shark and giving up on their antiquated ideals.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SickofSeattleite wrote...
    MJ is easier to get and cost less...
    March 15, 2013 5:41 am
    the last thing our failing school students need is pot.... whole new meaning to "no child left behind" Plus MJ makes everything better...from chores to family reunions to unemployment to our broken economy. (I guess you could say it's a smoke screen...)
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }