11/9/00

Tobacco Use: A Special Hazard for Young People

Thursday, November 16, 2000 is the 24th Great American Smokeout. Sponsored by the American Cancer Society, the event has evolved over the past 24 years from a single day devoted to encouraging individuals to quit smoking to becoming the kick-off point to a year-long effort to promote strategies to protect our children from the harmful effects of tobacco use. During this period of time, the number of adult smokers has decreased, yet smoking kills more people than drugs, alcohol, AIDS, fires, homicide, suicide, and automobile accidents combined each year. Still, tobacco use remains the most preventable cause of death in this country.

Unfortunately, despite an apparent leveling off of smoking rates among high school students in the US, smoking is now as prevalent among 18-24 year olds as it is among 25-41 year olds. The Surgeon General reports that 3000 young people start smoking every day. In New England alone, data from the American Cancer Society reveals that 150 children pick up their first cigarette each day, and 61 adults die from tobacco use daily. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that 1/3 of all new smokers will eventually die from tobacco use. Smoking alone is responsible for more than 400,000 deaths each year, and accounts for over $50 billion in annual medical costs.

Since most smokers start using tobacco before they finish high school, the Great American Smokeout provides a good opportunity for parents and teachers to open a dialogue with young people about tobacco use. Many of today’s students have been hearing about smoking and lung cancer for much of their lives. And the educational efforts are paying off -- even though many adolescents use tobacco, the Surgeon General’s report indicates that only 13% of the young people have smoked within the past 30 days. Put another way, 87% of the adolescents are smart enough not to smoke. No doubt, they have paid attention to the warnings about the health risks associated with smoking, such as cancer, heart disease, shortness of breath, coughing, nausea, and dizziness.

But while young people have become more aware of the hazards of smoking tobacco, they often assume smokeless tobacco is a safer alternative. A study cited by the Surgeon General points out that although 77% of the young people questioned knew cigarette smoking was harmful, only 40% felt that way about smokeless tobacco. What these young people failed to realize was that the use of snuff and chewing tobacco can cause bleeding gums, mouth sores that never heal, and often cancer. It stains teeth, causes bad breath, and can cause dizziness, hiccups, and vomiting. And like cigarettes, smokeless tobacco is still tobacco, which contains nicotine, a very addictive substance. In fact, nicotine is as addictive as alcohol, heroin, or cocaine.

Although tobacco advertising and sales have been limited by legal restrictions during the past 20 years, tobacco companies have recently developed new methods to promote tobacco products to young people. Tactics such as sponsoring sporting events and concerts and providing discounts on “hip” clothing have grabbed the attention of many teens and pre-teens. Some companies even target their ads to kids, using bright colors and plenty of photographs depicting images of cool, sexy people using tobacco and having a good time. These ads are placed in magazines that appeal mainly to young people. As a result, many teenagers wrongly believe that using tobacco will reduce their stress and make them look confident, cool, and more adult.

Parents and teachers can help young people understand that smoking and chewing tobacco is not only unhealthy, but also socially undesirable. Smoking can make hair, breath, and clothes smell bad and stain teeth, and smokeless tobacco can cause cracked lips, white spots, and sores.

Adults can appeal to the young person’s wish to be independent; tobacco, because of its addictive nature, takes away free choice and makes its users more dependent. Youth should be encouraged to think for themselves and not be manipulated by tobacco ads.

Other negative aspects of tobacco use can be pointed out to educate young people. For example, teens should be aware that kids who start smoking are more likely to get lower grades in school, and often have a low self-image. In addition, because smoking affects lungs, reduces the available oxygen for muscles to use, narrows blood vessels, increases the strain on the heart, and causes shortness of breath, overall athletic performance is adversely affected. Smokers run slower, and cannot run as far as non-tobacco users.

And finally, the financial implications of tobacco use can be an effective deterrent for teenagers. Smoking 1/2 pack of cigarettes a day costs $11.38 per week, or $48.75 each month. By the time a smoker is up to 2 packs a day, the weekly cost rises to $45.50, which is $195 per month. Pointing out that this money could be used to buy more enjoyable things, such as computer software, video games, cds, pay for gas for the car, or other entertainment such as going to the movies can influence the young person’s choice.

For those young people who do use tobacco, it should be pointed out that the benefits of quitting are both immediate and long term. Within 20 minutes, blood pressure and pulse rates return to normal. Within 8 hours, the level of oxygen in the blood rises to normal. Two days later, the senses of smell and taste are noticeably improved, and within 3 days breathing becomes easier and lung capacity increases. When the health and financial benefits become obvious to the young tobacco user, the extra incentive is there to help the effort to quit the tobacco habit.

At one time or another, every teenager will feel social pressure to smoke. Because peer pressure has an enormous influence on young people, many will give in and engage in behavior they may not really want to do. Adults can help young people resist such pressure by helping them to develop “refusal skills” that will empower them to think and act for themselves and to do what they know they should, despite the presence of outside influences.

To obtain more information about tobacco use in adults as well as teens, contact the Central Connecticut Health District at 721-2822.