Smoking Facts for Teens

If there's one thing teens strive for, it's to be labeled cool. For many, smoking represents cool; to them, it is the epitome of the word. Not only is it something they are trying to successfully get away with behind their parents' backs, it is something they see their friends doing. So to fit in, they do it too. Sadly they don't realize the short-term and long-term effects smoking has on their health. Learn the facts provided by the American Lung Association about teen smoking.

Ingredients

Cigarettes contain over 4,000 deadly chemicals and cancer-causing agents. Among them are arsenic and formaldehyde, a gas that is used in the preservation of a dead animal's body.

The Gateway Drug

Teens between the ages of 12 and 17 are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs once they begin smoking cigarettes.

Risky Behavior

Teens who smoke have been linked to other bad behaviors, such as fighting and sexual promiscuity.

Addiction

Nicotine is an addictive drug; the earlier you begin smoking, the harder it is to quit once you choose to. Teens who smoked as few as 100 cigarettes were unable to quit.

Watch What You Watch

Teens who watch movies that include a lot of smoking scenes are twice as likely to smoke than teens who watch movies that have limited smoking scenes.

Statistics

Each day, 3,600 teens smoke for the first time; 1,100 will become addicted to smoking. Out of these 1,100, half will die from a smoking-related illness.

Resources

• Get help to quit smoking