Despite the intense campaigning to elimate cigarette smoking and second-hand smoke exposure, approximately 1 in 4 teens in the US are picking up the habit.
Most of us are aware that tobacco use leads to lung disease, multiple types of cancer, heart disease and death, to name a few. In fact smokers are likely to die 13-14 years sooner than non smoker are. However, in a recent study published in the Journal for Nurse Practitioners, teen awareness of these health issues has actually declined when compared to teens in 1993. When looking at trends of teenage smoking cessation there has been a plataeu since 2003 with almost 22% of teens still smoking. The goal for Healthy People 2020 is to have less than 12% of adults and 16% of adolescents smoking.
A strong emphasis should be placed on education for teens and tobacco use. Aside from all of the known risks of smoking for adults, teenage smokers are actually at greater risks because their lungs never fully develop as a result of tobacco use and therefore have an increased risk for lung disease. Stress and having friends who smoke seem to be the most prevelant reasons for teens to start smoking.
Tobacco use in teens also increases other risky behavior. A statement from the Surgeoun General identifies adolescent smokers as being three times more likely to drink alcohol, eight times more likely to smoke marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine.
There are many therapies available to help with smoking cessation, pharmacological and non-pharmacological. If you are a smoker and are having difficulty quitting, see your health care provider for guidance and assistance. If you are a parent of a teenager it is extremely important to discuss these risks with your son or daughter.
Hanson MJ. Beliefs About Smoking in Millennial Generation Teenage Women. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners- JNP. 2014;10:162-166
ShareMAR