Tobacco Use a Serious Problem for Local Youth
By the staff of Heartland Human Services
In the time I've been a therapist at Heartland Human Services, I have seen rampant tobacco use in local youth. An alarming number of kids and teens tell me they are smokers. Some began smoking as early as age 7 or 8 and are up to a pack a day by the time they reach junior high. Most come from homes where adults smoke, although these adults may tell the kids they are forbidden to do so. I see kids every week who have smoker's coughs, kids who aren't even in high school yet whose growth and health are being wrecked by tobacco use.
Information on the hazards of tobacco use and the often ulterior motives and outright dishonesty of tobacco conglomerates is available to us daily in the popular media. This article is not an attempt to summarize dozens of research studies. However, it is important to know the facts in order to understand just how serious a threat cigarette use is, particularly for youth. Please consider the following:
- Tobacco use is deadly. A recent HBO documentary proclaimed that "tobacco kills more Americans each year than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroine, care accidents, homicide, suicide, fires, and AIDS combined". Smoking alone is responsible for 30% of all cancer deaths and also causes heart and gum disease.
- Most people begin smoking at a very young age: 25% by age 12 and 60% by age 14. 3000 adolescents begin smoking every day.
- Passive or "second hand" smoke kills. A recent research study showed that parents' smoking kills over 6200 children a year in the United States.
- Cigarettes are a gateway drug. That is, it is common for users of "hard" drugs to have first began using cigarettes. Few youth who are "hard" drug users, pot smokers, etc. are not cigarette smokers as well.
What is hopeful is that most of the kids and teens I see recognize smoking as a destructive habit and tell me they want to quit. With support and encouragement, they can quit smoking.
Please consider taking the first step to being smoke free or helping a young person to do so. Get tips on how to quit successfully from your doctor, pharmacist, or by calling 1-800-ACS-2345. The best news is, quitting will make a dramatic difference in your health -- after just one year smoke-free, your risk of heart disease is cut in half.