It gets even scarier than that. Almost 90 percent of adults who have ever been regular smokers began smoking at or before the age of 18. So if you smoke or use tobacco as a teen, the odds are very great that you will smoke or use tobacco as an adult. And every single year you smoke or sue tobacco takes many more years off your life, your health, and your well-being. If you play sports, smoking will damage your performance, leaving you short of breath and more vulnerable to heart and lung problems.
Smoking can wreck lungs and reduce oxygen available for muscles used during sports.
Smokers run slower and can't run as far, affecting overall athletic performance. Cigars and spit tobacco are NOT safe alternatives. Inc. Return to Top Smoking and Your Health Adult Smoking Smoking is even more serious for adults. Adults already run a greater risk of cancer, heart attack, stroke and lung disease than youths. Smoking adds to that risk greatly.