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Home  : Drugs, alcohol, and smoking  : Straight talk about tobacco  : Ways to say “no” to tobacco

Ways to say “no” to tobacco

You may think smoking will help you relax or make you look cool. What it actually will do is make it harder for you to exercise, stain your teeth, and mess up your health. Even if you know all that, though, it can be hard to say “no” to cigarettes, especially if a friend asks you. Well, ask your friend to be a good friend. Ask her to help you avoid a habit that can make you sick in lots of ways right now — and later down the road.

Try to plan ways to turn down tobacco, so you’re prepared. You might even practice with a friend who also wants to say “no.” After you try the tool below, check out some more ways to stay away from smoking.

(If the tool above does not appear, please take a look at our text version of this tool.
Viewing the above requires the Adobe Flash Player.)

More tips for staying away from smoking

If you’re thinking about smoking, learn the real deal about how tobacco can affect you. Remember, no amount of smoking is a safe amount of smoking.

Check out these ways to boost your ability to say “no” to tobacco:

  • Think about the fact that about 1 out of 3 people who try smoking get addicted.
  • Remember that if you’re smoking to be independent, you’re failing. You’re doing exactly what someone else (the tobacco companies) wants you to do: smoke.
  • You may think you’ll just try a few cigarettes, but you’re taking a risk. People who start smoking before the age of 21 have the hardest time quitting.
  • Do you think smoking shows confidence? You can show your confidence by sticking up for what’s right for you and your health.

Watch the video below for a little inspiration in stomping out smoking.

 

Content last reviewed May 18, 2010
Page last updated April 09, 2014

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