May 4, 2007

Poll: Child Smoking Worries Adults Most

Smoking, Teen Drug Abuse And Childhood Obesity Lead the List Of Adult Concerns

  • Forty percent of adults polled by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital said smoking was their top concern for children.

    Forty percent of adults polled by the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital said smoking was their top concern for children.  (AP)

  • Interactive HealthWatch

    Explore health issues including AIDS, cancer and antibiotics.

  • Quiz Medical Exam

    Give your brain a checkup with these health quizzes.

(WebMD)  Adults' top concerns about U.S. children are smoking, teen drug abuse, and childhood obesity, a new poll shows.

The National Poll on Children's Health included a nationally representative group of 2,076 adults. Knowledge Networks conducted the poll in March for the University of Michigan's C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.

Participants were asked to rate 17 different health concerns for children living in their communities.

Here are their top 10 concerns and the percentage of participants rating each concern as a "big problem." Participants could use the "big problem" rating more than once.

  • Smoking: 40 percent
  • Teen drug abuse: 39 percent
  • Childhood obesity: 34 percent
  • Teen alcohol abuse: 33 percent
  • Driving accidents: 29 percent
  • Teen pregnancy: 28 percent
  • Internet safety: 26 percent
  • School violence: 24 percent
  • Sexually transmitted infection: 24 percent
  • Abuse and neglect: 22 percent

    "Of note, ratings for the top 10 list did not differ between adults who have children in their households and those who do not," states the poll report.

    The poll's seven other health concerns were psychological stress, depression, eating disorders, suicide, autism, childhood cancer, and food contamination.

    Ratings varied somewhat. For instance, black adults rated teen pregnancy as the top health concern, while adults with college degrees were more likely than those with no college degree to rate childhood obesity as a top concern.


    By Miranda Hitti
    Reviewed by Louise Chang, M.D.
    © 2007, WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
    Add a Comment
    by rushman71 May 7, 2007 5:08 PM EDT
    I am a smoker trying to quit. I've done it before, and I will keep trying until I get it right--permanently. My mother has smoked since she was 13, and still does. This concerned my brother and I, so she went and got her lungs checked out. Her lungs (to our relief) were clear. She smokes those Capri Menthols, which is almost like smoking air. But our concern still lies towards our mother. It is very hard to quit, especially when your friends smoke. I smoked Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Now, I am on the patch again. Wish me luck!!!!!
    Reply to this comment
    by michellem99-2009 May 6, 2007 7:15 PM EDT
    I would love to see our nation's kids not smoke ever.When I was in high school years ago, a gentleman visited our school and talked what smoking to him. He lost his voice box and used a device so he could talk to us.
    My late Uncle smoked. Being 9 at the time,I asked*Uncle why do you smoke?* He answered back*I had half my lung taken out.Uncle don't want you to smoke*. That what I rememer. I never have smoked.
    My room-mate of 24 years smoked for years. Had a heart attack in 00&01.He has heart & lung problems,diabetes problems relating to diabetes etc. Smoking caused all of it. So he quit cold turkry.
    I love my Dad,he smoked for years, he could not climb the stairs as was fighting for aire. Now he is on oxyzen 24/7. He had to quit to live.
    It is heart breaking to see those I love suffer due to years of smokimg.I sent my friend when he did smoke out side you go. Smoking make me sick.I hate smoking. I hate 2ed smoke. Don't start .
    Reply to this comment
    by highthis May 5, 2007 7:43 PM EDT
    The teens need some thing for them,but figure it out that it is bad for you and that is there choice.
    Reply to this comment
  • Exclusive Webshow

    Best-selling author Mitch Albom on his first nonfiction work since "Tuesdays with Morrie." Watch Now

    Latest News
    News in Pictures
    Scroll Left Scroll Right
    Connect with CBS News

    Stay connected with the CBS News using your favorite social networks and online news applications: