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Smoke-Savvy Teens
Teens Share Their Thoughts on Smoking
By Carma Haley Shoemaker
When it comes to smoking, statistics are not in teens' favor.
An estimated four million children, ages 12 to 17 are smokers, reports the American Heart Association. More than 6,000 teens try a cigarette each day -- and half of these keep the habit.
Since most children are prone to pick up habits like smoking during adolescence, it's the time to teach them about the health risks associated with it. New legislation targeted at tobacco advertisements is doing just that.
Fortunately, most teens are listening.
While about 6,000 teens try a cigarette every day, many more have decided never to try one at all. "I think that smoking is disgusting and a waste of money," says Mallory, a 17-year-old from Leaf River, Ill. "I'd rather die of natural causes than something I caused myself. If you smoke, you obviously are going to die from something that you brought on yourself. If you don't smoke, your chance of dying from natural causes is so much greater. What's to think about?"
The strongest message teens say they hear about smoking comes from their parents – both the smokers and non-smokers.
"My parents both smoke, but I know that they both want to quit very badly," says Alec, 13, from Chester, Va. "They tell my younger brothers and me how hard it is to quit and how bad smoking has affected their health. They don't preach about it, but they do answer questions when we have them and use themselves as examples, which is cool. They aren't afraid to let me know that they don't want me to make the same mistake they did – and I won't."
