Teens Talk About Stopping Smoking
Ex-smoking teens testify that life is better, self-esteem higher and hope and joy for the future more profound after they quit smoking. Often these unfortunate children begin smoking before they are old enough to appreciate their hard-working lungs. They begin filling their miracle breathing lungs with health destroying tobacco when they are 16, 14 and even 10 years old! Stan B. recalls, “I started smoking when I was 12, to look cool.” Susan W. Says, “I smoked 2 packs a day from the time I was 16.”
As horrifying as these stories are, we can take heart from these youngsters and learn a lesson from their resiliency. Though they are young and the challenge they face is difficult, many teen smokers are winning the battle against the smoking habit – and feeling healthier and happier as a result! When it comes to quitting, Stan
B. admits, “It’s not easy, but I look at my parents who’ve both smoked for 20 years! I know I don’t want to be sucking smoke into my lungs and coughing like them.”
Every smoking teen should remember that they are not alone in the struggle to quit, and that their goal is within reach. Many young adults now choose a healthy quality of life over one of the greatest destroyers of our time – smoking! And, should any smoking teens find themselves wavering in their efforts to quit, they should remember the words of ex-smoking teen Ann S., who explains, “The biggest reward was that my self-esteem became so much better – I don’t need a cigarette to make everything okay. I have made positive changes, enjoy a healthy lifestyle and have more money, time and energy!”
Shocking Sad Facts: Children and teenagers make up 90% of the new smokers in the United States. Teenage and college smoking is on the rise! All tobacco should be banned – it’s a killer!
The Teenage Self-Destruction Craze – Smoking, Alcohol & Pot
These are “gateway” habits that they can lead to harder drugs and other dangerous activities. Over 60% of the children who smoke pot before the age of 15 move into the deadly drugs: cocaine, heroin, hallucinogens, etc.
Quit Smoking – See the Difference it Makes!
20 MINUTES AFTER QUITTING: Your blood pressure and pulse rate drop to normal. The temperature of our hands and feet increases to normal.
8 HOURS AFTER QUITTING: The carbon monoxide level in our blood drops to normal. The oxygen level in your blood increases to normal.
24 HOURS AFTER QUITTING: Your chance for heart attack decreases.
48 HOURS AFTER QUITTING: Your ability to taste and smell is enhanced.
2 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS AFTER QUITTING: Your circulation improves. Walking becomes easier. Your lung function increases as much as 30 percent.
1 TO 9 MONTHS AFTER QUITTING: Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease. Your lungs and body are cleaner and more resistant to infection.
1 YEAR AFTER QUITTING: Excess risk for coronary heart disease decreases to 50% that of a smoker’s.
2 TO 3 YEARS AFTER QUITTING: The risk for coronary heart disease and stroke decrease compared to those of people who have never smoked. Also less osteoporosis.
5 YEARS AFTER QUITTING: Lung cancer death rate for the former one-pack-per-day smoker decreases by almost half. Risks of mouth and throat cancer are half those of smokers.
10 TO 15 YEARS AFTER QUITTING: Lung cancer death rate is almost that of non-smokers. Pre-cancerous cells are replaced. Risks for mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas cancer decrease. – Prevention
