Health Effects of Smoking Among Young People

Many young people today have an "invincibility complex," or the idea that they cannot be hurt by their actions. As a result many are blind to the smoking effects that could cause lifetime damage to their bodies.

While they may know the harmful smoking effects, this does not stop the rise in young people smoking. It is a sad but true fact that youth and smoking is a crisis that needs to be dealt with.

How Common Is Smoking With Young People?

Smoking among the younger generation is more common than many people think. According to the American Lung Association (www.lungusa.org) there are around six thousand kids that start smoking each day in the United States! Also, the ALA estimates that there are four and a half million teens and kids in the US that are addicted to cigarettes. These trends need to be stopped, because of the dangerous health effects of smoking among young people that carry into adult life.

Why Do Young People Smoke?

Peer Pressure

The number one reason that many young people start smoking regardless of the smoking effects on their health is peer pressure. Someone they respect or wish to emulate gives them a chance to start smoking, and tells them they will be fine. The kids do not want to appear "un-cool" and so they start smoking.

Advertising

Another reason that kids take to smoking is because of the advertising of the cigarette manufacturers. Cigarette ads are aimed at the young, making smoking look like the cool, popular thing to do. Things emphasized by cigarette ads are young adults who have a strong sex appeal, or things that appeal to young guys, like weapons, cowboys, and other things. Kids are given the idea that smoking makes you sexy, strong, and invincible!

Desire to Look Mature

Sometimes kids take up smoking because they want to look mature. After all, smoking is considered an "adult" behavior, and they think they will look cool when they smoke, or that they will look more grown up.

Rebellion

Finally, many kids take up smoking because they want to rebel against their authorities. No matter what the activity, if you tell kids they cannot or should not do something, some will want to do it simply to buck against their authority.

Continue to: Harmful Smoking Effects on Teens

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