Youth tobacco use has declined appreciably in recent years, but the trend hasn't cost cigarette companies any money, All Headline News reported March 23.

In fact, researchers say, tobacco company profits have risen even as youths cut their cigarette consumption from 890 million packs in 1997 to 541 million in 2002. In 1997, tobacco companies generated an estimated $737 million from sales to youths, but thanks to the increased wholesale cost of cigarettes, the company made more money selling fewer cigarettes in 2002: $1.2 billion, according to researchers.

Cheryl Healton, president and CEO of the American Legacy Foundation, said that higher prices help control youth smoking but that prevention and education campaigns also are needed.

The study appears in the April 2006 issue of Tobacco Control.