The percentage of high school students who first tried alcohol or cigarettes before the age of 13 has declined considerably over the last decade, according to recently released data from the national Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS).

In 1997, 31% of high school students reported drinking more than a few sips of alcohol before age 13, compared to 24% in 2007. The percentage reporting smoking a whole cigarette for the first time before age 13 also declined, from 25% in 1997 to 14% in 2007. Marijuana initiation before age 13, however, did not change significantly over the same period.

While the declines in early alcohol and tobacco use are encouraging, nearly one-fourth (24%) of high school students begin drinking before age 13.

Previous research has shown a relationship between early alcohol initiation and alcohol abuse/dependence as well as illicit drug use.

For details, including data charts, source information and caveats, download the CESAR Fax (PDF, 32KB).

Reprinted from CESAR Fax, a weekly, one-page overview of timely substance abuse trends or issues, from the Center for Substance Abuse Research (CESAR) at the University of Maryland.