The Facts of Teenage Smoking

Adult smokers likely began their nicotine addiction as teenagers. In fact, 90 percent of smokers began smoking before age 21, according to the American Lung Association. Once teenagers are attracted to the butt, it's hard for many of them to give it up. The nicotine can make breaking up hard to do, even if a teenager wants to kick the habit.

Facts

• According to the American Lung Association (ALA), each day nearly 3,600 children between ages 12 and 17 smoke their first cigarette. Teenagers who begin smoking early are likely to develop an addiction to nicotine that can be difficult to break. ALA says many teenagers who smoke want to quit, but find the addiction too strong. In fact, nearly 50 percent of smokers who are high school students tried to kick the habit in 2007.

Factors

• Teenagers who smoke may have started smoking for one or several different reasons: to gain approval from other students, too much stress, curiosity, parents smoke, low self-image, low self-esteem, easy purchase of cigarettes and low socioeconomic status.

Consequences

• The physical consequences of teen smoking that can hurt a teen's self image. Certain medical conditions can develop such as chronic cough, asthma, lower energy, bad breath, yellow teeth, more wrinkles, smelly clothes and poor physical stamina, and smoking is an expensive habit. Smoking one pack of cigarettes per day can cost between $1,100 and $2,000 each year, depending on the brand of cigarettes you smoke. Continued smoking will increase teenagers' chances for addiction, oral cancer, lung infections and compromised immune system making them more susceptible to colds.

Quitting

• It can be easier for teenagers to kick the habit than adults. Parents can help by first offering support. Help your teenager select a date for when they'll stop smoking. To help with the cravings, try sugarless gum or cinnamon sticks. Schedule a meeting with the family doctor for helpful tips and treatments, and consider helping your teenager join a support group.

Prevention/Solution

• Parents play a pivotal role in keeping their teenagers from becoming hooked on cigarettes. It's important to educate your children early about the dangers of smoking. Empower kids to say no to cigarettes. Some people use cigarettes to relieve stress. Be certain to tell your children of more healthful ways to deal with stress, such as exercise, sports or taking a walk. Parents who smoke should try to quit. Your children are inhaling the same dangerous smoke. If you don't quit cold turkey, then don't leave your cigarettes out where teens can get to them. They're curious and may attempt to try one. That first puff could hook them for life.