When teenagers don't feel good about who they are and they have trouble accepting themselves-they are much more vulnerable to the temptation of something like smoking which seems to promise status and acceptance by their peers. I've also heard that there is some controversy about the actual effects of smoking. And that's confusing. Smoking without doubt is one habit that is extremely dangerous to one's health. Research evidence which has accumulated over the past 20 or 30 years shows that smoking is one of the most common causes of early death and decreased health and vigor.
Smoking is one of the most common causes of cancer, particularly lung cancer.
Also, smoking causes heart disease with hardening of the arteries and heart attacks. Of course, these are diseases of adults and older people and to most teens seem very far away. However, there are more immediate facts that should be of concern to teens. Smoking causes an increased heart rate, a decreased blood pressure which can make one feel tired and lethargic. The carbon monoxide from the smoke gets into the blood stream immediately and can cause breathing problems of various types.