prnewsfoto/the truth campaign, joshua cogan
Join the party! The truth youth smoking prevention campaign’s national summer tour kicks off July 25th. Traveling in orange trucks across the country, truth crew members will visit popular music and sporting events to educate teens on the dangers of tobacco use. Visit www.thetruth.com for more information.
forming behaviors, reaches the brain within 10 seconds after smoke is inhaled. When high levels of nicotine are present in a person’s system, the body becomes accustomed to the presence of nicotine and begins to physically require it to function properly, which creates an addiction. The American Lung Association has named nicotine addiction one of the hardest forms of addiction to break and compares it with the high levels of addiction that heroin and cocaine users experience. This is why many people who try smoking in their teenage years, go on to continue with a lifelong use of tobacco that continues well into their late adult years.
The American Lung Association has named nicotine addiction one of the hardest forms of addiction to break and compares it with the high levels of addiction that heroin and cocaine users experience.
Teens Keep it Real on Smoking “Teenagers hate to feel left out, and some teenagers are willing to do anything to fit in and be considered as cool. But when did cool start to mean stupid?”, Anonymous, Phoenix, AZ “In a world where a child is raised being told what to think, say, and do parents wonder why their young ones are being led into a corrupt life. How are children of the future supposed to act when they have been sheltered all of their lives?”, MeghanLS, Phoenix, AZ “Both of my parents smoke and I hate to see them killing themselves like that. My dad has tried hard to quit but he just hasn’t been able to pull away from the addiction ... My mom has also tried but has not been able to ... she has a small start of cancer because of cigarettes. Smoking is a terrible addiction that will kill you. It’s not “if” or “maybe”–it will.”, Dmrocker, Evanston, WY
But what about right now? If you choose to smoke just for a little while, you can always quit later, right? Even if you can avoid becoming addicted, there are many issues that can arise from so-called “shortterm” tobacco use. Some of the immediate effects are lack of focus, decreased athletic performance, decreased grades, and financial issues from the money used to support the habit of cigarette use, just to name a few. It even causes hygiene issues including bad breath and foul smelling hair–not cute! But the most common and serious consequence of tobacco use is the introduction to new drugs. The mentality of “I’ll try it just this once” does not only apply to smoking. Teenagers that smoke are much more likely to experiment with other drugs and alcohol as well. Nicotine is considered to be the No. 1 gateway into other lifelong substance abuse problems. A study conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse found marijuana use to be 20 times higher among high school seniors who smoke and the daily use of other illegal drugs to be 13 times higher among tobacco users. You started this article by asking what’s the harm in trying a cigarette? As you can see, the consequences can be many. It is much easier to never start smoking than it is to stop smoking and to avoid the dangerous effects that smoking can create. Take a stance on tobacco use and save yourself from possible lifelong problems. Educate yourself and your friends in order to build a healthier future. For more information on the effects of smoking and how to quit if you are a smoker, speak with your school counselor or visit www.thetruth.com. tv teen vision magazine
9