Teen Smoking Truth

Millions of teens smoke cigarettes every day, some start smoking as early as 11 years old. Why has teen smoking become a huge problem, why has there become such an increase in smoking? Statistics state that over 8,000 teens started smoking or had their first cigarette by the age of 13, while 3 million teens start smoking by the age of 16. Teens that smoke are 3 times more likely to use alcohol. 8 times more likely to smoke pot, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine, while 6 million teens continue to smoke even though they know the risks. A 2001 survey showed that 69.4% of teens smokers reported never being asked proof of age to buy cigarettes and 62.4% of teens being able to buy cigarettes even though the retailer knew they were under age. Why do teens smoke? This is a question many non-smokers ask. Many teens will say that they smoke because their friends or family smoke. Many will say it was peer-pressure that got them to smoke. The main belief is because not only do tobacco companies shove cigarettes down everyone’s throats but many teens believe that smoking relaxes you and calms your nerves, which is not true. Nicotine is a stimulant; it speeds up your heart beat and raises your blood pressure. Smoking only calms down the withdrawal symptoms. Some teens smoke because they are bored and have nothing else to do. Another main reason is because of low-self-esteem due to many teens feeling that they do not have any friends and wanting to join in and feel cool, while other reasons maybe from things going on at home such as a divorce, a death in the family or many things that are going on with the teen themselves. Some teens may think they know all the consequences to them smoking, while smoking can cause lung, throat, and stomach cancer, emphysema, and heart disease. Smoking can also shorten your life by 10 years or more. Cigarettes cost thousands of dollars a year and the chemicals in the cigarettes are poisonous and can kill you in high doses. When many have their first cigarette they experience burning is the throat and lungs. Smokers can also get yellow teeth, bad breath, smelly clothes, reduced athletic performance, and greater risk of injury with slower healing time. Some more serious effects of smoking are an increase rate of getting infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Smokers can also develop osteoporosis, which is the loss of bone density. With women that smoke it can cause fertility problems, and girls that smoke and take birth control are more likely to have blood clots and strokes. Most if not all teens believe that they are invincible and can never be harmed, so they do reckless things such as smoking. While smoking can cause cancer some teens can and could go their whole lives without getting cancer simply because they may be immune to it, but doesn’t mean you should try and take the chance and smoke because you think you will not get cancer. Millions of teens smoke everyday, some start as early as their pre-teens. Why there is an increase in teen smoking we may never know, but with all the health risks coming to light maybe some will be able to have the strength to quit before its too late.