Here's a look at the health impact of smoking on young people. In general, the short-term consequences include respiratory and nonrespiratory damage, addiction to nicotine and an increased risk of illegal drug use. The younger people start smoking, the more likely they are to become addicted. Smoking reduces the rate of lung growth.
Smokers have less lung capacity.
Early signs of heart disease and stroke can be detected. Teens who smoke have less endurance and lower performance in physical activities. The resting heart rate of a teen-age smoker is two to three beats faster than a nonsmoker's. Smoking at an early age increases the risk of lung cancer. Teen-age smokers suffer from shortness of breath almost three times as often as teens who don't smoke.