Young people's smoking preferences studied

Washington -- A survey by the American Legacy Foundation shows U.S. teenagers continue to have strong preferences for specific cigarette types.

The anti-smoking organization said it found three brands are preferred by the majority of young smokers, with menthol, light and flavored cigarettes holding strong appeal.

The organization surveyed more than 3,500 U.S. teenagers between 13 and 18 years and found 50 percent prefer Marlboro, 14 percent prefer Newport and 14 percent prefer Camel.

While 12 percent of young black smokers reported smoking Marlboro, 53 percent of white and 62 percent of Hispanic youth smokers said they prefer that brand.

African-American youth smokers were more likely to select Newport as their usual brand.

Nearly 40 percent said they usually smoke cigarettes labeled as "light," "ultra-light" or "mild" and nearly 37 percent said they liked menthol cigarettes.

"Given that the tobacco industry spends nearly $36 million marketing its products each day, it's not surprising that American youth have particular cigarette type preferences," American Legacy Foundation President Cheryl Healton said. "Every day 4,000 American youth try their first cigarette and this survey shows us that the tobacco industry's effective marketing drives their decisions to smoke specific cigarettes."

Copyright 2007 by United Press International.