Teen Smoking: Expectation Vs. Reality

TEEN SMOKING:EXPECTATION VS REALITY

90% of smokers began before the age 19

Every day, almost 3,900 adolescents under 18 years of age try their first cigarette. More than 950 of them will become daily smokers.

Approximately 1.5 million packs of cigarettes are purchased for minors annually.

REASONS TEENS START SMOKING:

-Their parents smoke-Peer pressure-A way of rebelling and showing independence-To seem cool-Tobacco advertising targets teenagers

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer. Smoking is directly responsible for approximately 90 percent of lung cancer deaths and approximately 80-90 percent of COPD deaths.

Teen smokers are more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression.

teenagers who smoke are 3 times more likely to use alcohol, 8 times more likely to smoke marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine.

Smoking can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss, and in more severe cases mouth cancer.

On average, smokers die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers