|  | Family Health | Teen Health

Increases in Teenage Smoking

Teens are at risk for developing unfavorable health behaviors simply from being within their age group. Influencing factors for this age group are most attributed to peer pressure found at the high school level. Once established, smoking habits often remain into adulthood. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sates that more than 80 percent of adult smokers begin smoking before 18 years of age. Additionally, they report that adolescent smokeless tobacco users are more likely than nonusers to become adult cigarette smokers.

  1. Tobacco Statistics

    • According to the CDC, about 3,450 new teens, ages 12 to 17, smoke their first cigarette each day. In 2009, 17.2% of high school students and 5.2% of middle school students were smoking cigarettes. Smokeless tobacco was in the hands of about 6.7% of high school and 2.6% of middle school students in 2009. These numbers are, in general, much lower than they were in 1997, but they have been holding steady for the past few years.

    Factors of Smoking

    • There are some common factors that are present in many teenage smokers, including low socioeconomic status, smoking family members, low academic achievement and aggressive behavior. The availability and price of tobacco products also plays a role in rates of teenage smoking. Even though the prices of tobacco have increased over the years, it still is a relatively low-cost item as compared to other drugs. Teens may also be seeking the approval of their peers or siblings who use tobacco and may start using to fit in to the group. Some risky behaviors that are associated with tobacco use are consuming alcohol, using other drugs and risky sexual behavior, according to the CDC.

    Reducing Tobacco Rates

    • The rate of teenage tobacco users can be reduced in the future with the help of multiple sources working together. Parents can try to influence their children to stay away from starting to smoke. Government campaigns and mass media campaigns have been in place in the public schools to help educate students of the risks associated with smoking. Raising the cost of tobacco products and reducing their commercial availability can also help reduce the use with teens and the general public.

    Health Concerns

    • Tobacco use can lead to many health problems. Some health concerns may not be as important to teens, since they can't see the direct effects to internal organs. However, physical appearances can also be affected, such as skin, breath, and hair, and reduced athletic performance. Since smoking causes the blood vessels to restrict, oxygen and nutrients cannot be transported to the skin as readily, causing skin to become ash-like.

      Using "chew" or "snuff" can also give concerns for oral ulcers and possibly cancer of the throat and mouth. Smoking can also interact with medications that can lead to more serious health problems, like heart attacks.

Teen Health - Related Articles