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The Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Teens

Nine out of 10 smokers begin smoking before they reach the age of 18, according to a Nov. 2010 Kids Health website article. The number of teen smokers is growing every day, with many unaware they are addicted. The most common reason for a teenager to start smoking is peer pressure; they smoke because their friends do it. With some believing it can help them lose weight or look cool, it would seem many do not understand the negative effects of smoking.

  1. The Facts

    • With the dangers of smoking becoming increasingly advertised, most teenagers will be aware of the effects of smoking. Despite this knowledge, approximately 3,900 12 to 17 year-old teens start smoking every day in America, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Nicotine is a chemical present in cigarettes and the main reason they are so addictive. However, nicotine is only one of approximately 4,000 chemicals found in cigarettes; others include methane, carbon monoxide and ammonia. It is these chemicals, which are mostly poisonous, which can cause serious illness such as cancer.

    Short-Term Effects

    • Not all effects of smoking occur due to smoking for a long period of time. There are many effects which can occur straight away. Cigarettes have a negative impact on your dental health, causing bad breath and yellow teeth. People who smoke usually have three times more cavities than non-smokers.

      As well as smelly breath, smokers tend to be smellier in general due to cigarette smoke clinging to their hair and clothes. This could be the reason many teenagers prefer to date non-smokers. Bad skin is another affliction linked to smoking as are wrinkles, both due to lack of essential nutrients getting to the skin.

    Long-Term Effects

    • The long-term effects of smoking can be devastating, as well as deadly. Smoking paralyzes the little lung hairs, known as cilia, which sweep particles such as pollen and dust from the lungs. If the lungs cannot clear the particles, they build up at the bottom of the lungs and the end product is tar. This is why many smokers have what is known as a "smokers cough."

      The smoke from cigarettes also kills the air sacks in the lungs, which then restricts oxygen getting into the blood stream. Because a teenager's lungs are still growing, there is a risk that lack of oxygen will stunt lung growth and result in smaller lungs. This will effect your overall lung capacity as well as your physical fitness. Long-term smokers face the risk of developing emphysema, heart disease and a number of different cancers. If the current trend for smoking continues it is expected around 6.4 million children will face an early death from a smoking related illness, according to the AAP.

    Solution

    • The only way to prevent the negative effects of smoking is to stop smoking all together. A popular misconception is people who give up smoking will gain weight. The cravings you get when you stop smoking are very similar to hunger pains. Instead of eating, have a drink of water or do some physical activity to take your mind off it. When you do stop smoking, the positive effects will be almost immediate. Giving up smoking is difficult, however, but if you are successful, you will add at least 10 years to your life expectancy.

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