Tobacco contains nicotine, an addictive substance that makes smoking difficult to give up. Not only does cigarette smoking cause lung cancer, but it is a principal cause of numerous other malignancies, such as esophageal and pancreatic cancer. More troubling is that the rate of smoking among high school and college students appears on the rise. According to a national survey, the percentage of high school students who smoked at least once in 30 days increased from 30 percent to 36.5 percent between 1991 and 1997. Educating our youth about the hazards of smoking is critical to reversing this dangerous trend.
Kids mistakenly believe they can smoke for a few years and then quit.
They don't fully appreciate how powerfully addicting nicotine is. The Great American Smokeout tries to help adult smokers stop smoking and to discourage young people from starting by increasing awareness about the dangers of tobacco use. Smokers who are interested in quitting should consult a physician or other health professional for help, Ross said. The event is coming soon. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice.