Young People and Smoking

Be Safe, Be Smart – Don’t  start In Great Britain about 450 children start smoking every day. By the age of 11 one third of children, and by the age of 16 two thirds of children have experimented with smoking. Evidence suggests that children as young as 5 years old have tried cigarettes. Very young children are more likely to try smoking if they have seen brother, sisters or parents smoking. Be a positive role model for your family and don’t smoke.

The easiest way to stop smoking is to not start at all.

Young people start smoking for all kinds of reasons. Some are curious about what it’s like. Others want to try it because they see family, friends or famous people they admire smoking. Some try it because they think it makes them look more grown up. Whatever the reason for starting no one thinks that they will be smoking for life.

Nicotine is very addictive and most people who smoke started smoking at a young age and find it very difficult to stop. In fact nicotine is addictive as heroin or cocaine. Smoking contributes to cancer, heart disease, bronchitis, strokes, stomach ulcers, gum disease, asthma, wrinkles, bad breath, impotence and much much more. Stopping smoking is not easy and the best solution is not to start in the first place. You don’t need to justify your decision not to smoke to anyone. Real friends will respect your decision and your right to make up your own mind.