FDA launches anti-tobacco campaign for teens

The Food and Drug Administration is trying to prevent teenagers from using tobacco through a $115 million media campaign.

It’s the government’s largest effort yet to curb teen tobacco use. The ads will target roughly 10 million teens who are open to smoking or are already experimenting with cigarettes.

A high school senior says he quit smoking after realizing how it affected his workouts. He says the anti-tobacco ads work.

“I honestly think they do because the ones with the hole in the throat and everything, that definitely is a good scare tactic with me. I could see that help,” said Frank Burkhard.

The Pueblo Health Department said more Pueblo teens smoke than the Colorado average. 19.3 percent of teenagers use cigarettes in Pueblo versus nearly 11.9 percent in Colorado.

KRDO Newschannel 13 is working to get El Paso County’s numbers.