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Teen Survival Guide
Smoking
Did you know that most adult smokers began smoking as teens? Maybe they thought smoking would make them look cool, help them gain friends, or help them deal with problems. Maybe they thought they would try it only once, or that they could quit at any time. You’re smart—do these sound like good reasons to you?
Before you light up, consider that …
- Most teens don’t smoke. And most teens think using tobacco is gross and a turn-off. After all, smoking makes your clothes and hair stink, stains your teeth, and causes bad breath—yuck! It also causes emphysema, different types of cancers, and wrinkles.
- The damage begins with the first puff—and gets worse as you keep smoking. That means if you play sports, are a dancer, or sing or play an instrument, you will not be able to do any of these things very well.
- Social smoking is bad for you, too. Smoking only at parties is still dangerous. People who only light up sometimes may be less likely to ever try to quit!
- It’s easier to never light up than it is to quit. Most long-term smokers started in their teens.
- Smoking costs big bucks! It will cost you about $1,000 a year if you smoke a pack of cigarettes each day. It will only continue to get even more costly. Think how many CDs or clothes you could buy for this money!
- Tobacco companies do not care about you! Their goal is to make their customers addicts so that they can stay in business. Don’t get caught in their trap.
Teen tip: Many girls falsely think that smoking is a good way to lose weight. Eating healthy foods and exercising are the only ways to stay fit, healthy, and beautiful!
Activity: Gross yourself out. Visit www.girlshealth.gov/substance/smoking/tobaccoquiz.cfm to find out what's inside a cigarette—like chemicals used to kill rats!
P.S. If you are a smoker, you can make quitting tobacco easier by talking with your doctor, getting help from your parents and guardians, and hanging out with teens who don’t smoke or who have quit.
Fun quiz
N _ _ _ _ _ _ _ is the addictive ingredient found in all tobacco products.
*Hint: You can find the answer in one of the web sites listed at the end of this section.
Answer: nicotine
To: girlshealth.gov
From: Deanna (age 12), Muskogee, Oklahoma
Some girls at my school smoke "light" cigarettes. Are they safe?
There is no such thing as a safe tobacco product. Even though cigarette companies say that light cigarettes have less nicotine and tar, they are just as dangerous as regular cigarettes. Cigars, cigarillos, and smokeless tobacco (dip, spit, chew and snuff) also are addictive. These products can also cause serious health problems like cancer.
Content last updated February 12, 2008
