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Anti-Smoking Facts for Kids

Almost 3 million teenagers smoke cigarettes, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Smoking tobacco can cause problems in family relationships, school performance and other activities. Children who avoid smoking cigarettes will avoid many of the problems that accompany this habit and may set themselves up for a more productive and healthy future.

  1. Risk Taking

    • Teenagers who smoke cigarettes become more likely to take risks, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. These risks include avoiding seat belts, having sex, taking weapons to school and getting into fights. Teenagers who avoid using tobacco may avoid getting in trouble with the law as some of these risks could lead to legal consequences.

    Drug Experimentation

    • Kidshealth.org states that people who begin smoking at a young age may also begin experimenting with marijuana, cocaine and other illegal drugs. Tobacco use may lead to spending time with friends who do experiment with other drugs. This means that young kids could begin to have access to these drugs at a young age and may feel pressured by their friends to use them. Since tobacco gets referred to as a gateway drug, kids who avoid smoking tobacco even one time lesson the risks of experimenting with other dangerous drugs.

    Sports Problems

    • Kids who experiment with smoking cigarettes may struggle in sports, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Smoking tobacco could have an impact on your ability to breathe well while running. Children who avoid smoking cigarettes may have a better sports performance than kids who do not.

    Heart Disease

    • The American Heart Association states that people who start smoking before the age of 20 have the earliest onset and high incidences of heart disease. When someone begins smoking at a young age, a habit develops that becomes more difficult to get rid of as the person gets older. Many people who smoke as adults started when they were preteens. Kids can lessen their chances of getting heart disease by avoiding the use of tobacco and staying away from people who choose to smoke.

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