Tobacco—whether it takes the form of cigarettes, snuff, or smokeless (chewing) tobacco—is a subject of great concern to adults and teens. Several states have successfully sued the tobacco industry to recover the rising costs of health care blamed on smoking. Tobacco companies are under pressure from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the dangers of nicotine, its relationship to lung disease and other respiratory ailments, and its addictive properties.
In most states, you must be eighteen to smoke and buy tobacco products. A 1997 FDA ruling requires stores to ask for photo identification before selling cigarettes or chewing tobacco to anyone who looks younger than twenty-seven. If you′re caught violating the law, you and any adult involved can be prosecuted.
Even if you don′t smoke or chew tobacco, breathing secondhand smoke has proven to be a health hazard. Consequently, many public buildings across the nation offer smoke-free environments or separate no-smoking sections. If you′re caught smoking in a restricted area, you may be cited. If you′re also underage, you′ll receive a second citation.
Teenagers often think it′s okay to light up because their parents and friends smoke. Some parents approve of their children smoking, and some even buy cigarettes for them. If you or a friend is in this situation, take a look at the statistics and decide for yourself if your health and future well-being are worth the risk. Remember -
“Your parents did it. How cool can it be?” [from a Mississippi billboard discouraging kids from smoking]
FYI
American Cancer Society
1-800-227-2345
www.cancer.org
Call the toll-free number to be connected with the American Cancer Society office nearest you. Call or go online to get information about the Great American Smokeout program, how to get help quitting smoking, and information about cancer treatment and prevention.American Lung Association
1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872)
www.lungusa.org
Contact the American Lung Association for information about lung health, smoking, air pollution, current national research reports, and much more.Arizona Department of Health Services Tobacco Education and Prevention Program
www.azdhs.gov/phs/tepp
The Tobacco Education and Prevention Program′s goal is preventing tobacco use, especially among children.The BADvertising Institute
www.badvertising.org
The powerful images at this site will make you think twice about cigarette advertising and motivate you to quit smoking (or never start).GottaQuit.com
www.gottaquit.com
Research on smoking, information on the ways tobacco companies mislead teens, and support and ideas for quitting.Nicotine Anonymous
Nicotine Anonymous World Services
419 Main Street, PMB #370
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(415) 750-0328
www.nicotine-anonymous.org
Check the white pages of your local phone book for a group near you. You can also find a meeting in your area by visiting the Web site and searching by state. Offers support toward eliminating nicotine from your life.NoTobacco.org
www.notobacco.org
Find research on the effects of smoking, fake smoking ads, and tips for quitting.
