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IRON MOUNTAIN -- A new survey in Wisconsin shows that youth smoking is hitting an all-time low in the state.

According to a 2012 Wisconsin Youth Tobacco survey there has been a 26 percent drop in high school smoking and a 36 percent drop in middle school smoking. High school smoking dropped from 17.7 percent in 2010 to 13.1 percent in 2012, and middle school smoking dropped from 3.9 to 2.5 percent during the same time frame.

"I think it's a testament to our teachers and our communities who are working with kids to let them know that it's not healthy, it's not good for the environment, it's not good for their futures, and I think it's a good testament, not only for those teens, but the futures that are going to come out of it next generation," said Vanessa Holmes.

According to a 2010 Burden of Tobacco in Wisconsin, nearly 7,000 residents die yearly from illnesses linked to smoking. The report also found that smoking costs the state over $4.5 billion in annual health care costs.