Young teenage girls who don't know the health risks of smoking are more likely to become regular smokers than those who are aware of the health risks. Children who smoke suffer more respiratory problems than children who do not smoke. Adolescent smokers can develop the customary smoker's cough within a year or two of becoming regular smokers. In Western Australia it is illegal to sell cigarettes to children and young people under 18. In New South Wales it is illegal to sell cigarettes to children under 16.
Children smoke the most heavily advertised brands of cigarettes.
The most popular brands of cigarettes for adolescent boy are Winfield and Peter Jackson. Adolescent girls prefer Winfield, Peter Jackson and Alpine. Children in families where there are smokers suffer more coughs and respiratory infections than those children in families where there are no smokers. The Non Smokers' Movement of Australia - June 2000.