Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction, summary, and conclusions -- The health consequences of tobacco use among young people -- The epidemiology of tobacco use among young people in the United States and worldwide -- Appendices -- Social, environmental, cognitive, and genetic influences on the use of tobacco among youth -- The tobacco industry's influences on the use of tobacco among youth -- Efforts to prevent and reduce tobacco use among young people -- A vision for ending the tobacco epidemic. This Surgeon General's report details the causes and the consequences of tobacco use among youth and young adults by focusing on the social, environmental, advertising, and marketing influences that encourage youth and young adults to initiate and sustain tobacco use. This is the first time tobacco data on young adults as a discrete population have been explored in detail. The report also highlights successful strategies to prevent young people from using tobacco.