Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer and many other incurable conditions.
Each day, approximately 3,900 people between the ages of 12 and 17 in the United States will smoke their first cigarette, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In 2009, an estimated 20 percent of high school students were smokers. Teenage smoking has far-reaching consequences and can cause significant harm to a developing body. The earlier a teenager starts smoking, the greater is his risk of developing smoking-related diseases. Smokeless tobacco is also responsible for many chronic health problems in teens.
High Chance of Lifelong Addiction
A majority of the people who begin smoking during adolescence become addicted to the habit by the age of 20. This is because teenagers are easily addicted to the drug nicotine found in cigarettes. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 90 percent of all adult smokers started smoking before they turned 19. A majority of the people who do not smoke or use smokeless tobacco when they are teenagers will never smoke later in life.
Shortness of Breath
A cigarette contains about 4,000 chemicals, most of which are poisonous. Each puff of cigarette smoke causes serious, irreparable damage to the alveoli in the lungs. The alveoli transfer oxygen to the blood, and the chemicals from smoking make them less efficient in this task. This causes shortness of breath, which makes it difficult for teenagers to indulge in activities such as running or dancing.
Higher Rate of Drug and Alcohol Use
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, smoking is often the first step toward dependence on alcohol and drugs. Teenagers who smoke are three times more likely to drink alcohol. Also, teenage smokers have a much higher incidence of regular drug use. They are much more likely to use cocaine, marijuana and heroin as compared to teenagers who do not smoke.
Inferior Development
The Center for Young Women's Health at Children's Hospital, Boston, cites smoking as the reason for inferior development in young people. As compared to non-smokers, young smokers have smaller lungs and weaker hearts. Smoking also reduces immunity, thereby increasing the incidence of sickness among young smokers. Reduced lung capacity results in higher chances of pneumonia and bronchitis among teenage smokers. Smokers who get a cold also have a longer, more persistent cough.
Reduced Fertility
Smoking causes a reduction in hormone levels, according to The Children, Youth and Women's Health Service, South Australia. In young girls, it can make menstrual periods more painful. It also reduces fertility levels in both sexes. Smoking reduces sperm count in men and can also increase the numbers of abnormal sperm.
Range of Health Problems
According to the American Cancer Society, about one-third of the teenagers addicted to smoking will die prematurely. Some of the main causes of such deaths are lung cancer, oral cancer, heart disease, pancreatic cancer and stroke. Smoking also contributes to gum disease, tooth loss, hearing loss and eye problems.
Tags: According American, According American Cancer, also reduces, American Cancer, American Cancer Society, Cancer Society, lung cancer
