Dangers of Teenage Smoking

The Centers for Disease Control confirms that most of the 45 million smokers began the habit when they were teenagers and that without intervention most teen smokers will continue the habit. A 2009 survey taken by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) found that teen smoking is at a historic low. Many high school students, however, are still lighting up, putting themselves at risk for addiction and health problems.

Nicotine Addiction

• Approximately 35 million people attempt to quit smoking each year on their own, with most relapsing and smoking again within a week. Researchers at NIDA explain that dopamine, a feel good endorphin, is released normally when you experience something pleasurable, but smoking cigarettes causes neurons to release excess dopamine. The feeling of pleasure the teen experiences smoking does not last long, so to repeat the feeling, the teen must have another cigarette.

Heart and Lung Damage Potential

• The approximately 4,000 chemicals that are found in a tobacco plant pose possible health problems. Nicotine is addicting and causes the pulse rate and blood pressure to rise and blood vessels to constrict. Sixty of the chemicals in tobacco are thought to cause cancer. Tobacco smoke releases carbon monoxide and particulate substances that are together known as tar. Should the teen continue to smoke, both heart and lung damage can occur.

The Health Dangers Continue

• Teens that continue to smoke are at greater risk for leukemia, cataracts and pneumonia. Tobacco use is also associated with one-third of all cancer deaths, with lung cancer causing the most deaths (linked to 90%). Other cancers associated with extended tobacco use are cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, ureter and bladder. Teens that continue to smoke may also lose some of their sense of smell and taste. (Ref. 2)

Teen Pregnancy and Smoking

• The NIDA found that between 2007 and 2008, 20.6 percent of teen girls between 15 and 17 years old smoked during their pregnancies. The NIDA said that carbon monoxide and nicotine from tobacco smoke may interfere with fetal oxygen supply. Because nicotine "readily crosses the placenta, it can reach concentrations in the fetus that are much higher than maternal levels." Fetal blood, amniotic fluid and breast milk are also susceptible to the toxic effects of nicotine, putting both fetuses and infants at risk.

Health Hazards Extend to the Next Generation

• A teen mother who smokes may be giving her baby a death sentence. There is risk for a stillbirth, sudden infant death syndrome, preterm birth and respiratory problems. If the teen continues to smoke at least a pack a day during pregnancy, she also doubles the risk the child will be more susceptible to tobacco addiction.