Cigarette smoking among American adolescents continues to decline, according to the latest results from the Monitoring the Future study, conducted at the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research. The decline can be seen in all grade levels among both males and females, college bound and those not college bound, in all regions of the country, in urban and non-urban areas, in all three of the largest racial ethnic groups (Blacks, Whites, and Hispanics), and across different levels of socioeconomic status. Rates of smokeless tobacco consumption by American teens have declined by even larger proportions. Students have shown a steady increase since 1995 in the level of risk perceived to be associated with using smokeless tobacco regularly. And since 1996 the proportion of students disapproving of its use has also been increasing. The article concludes that the current improvements will have significant long-term consequences for the health and longevity of this generation of adolescents. Tables, figures