Why do Teenagers Smoke?

Cigarette smoking is injurious to health; it is a known fact but still people continue smoking. Recent trend shows that smoking is also gaining popularity among teenagers. But the question arises that “Why do teenagers smoke?” There could be many reasons like:

1. Smoking among teens starts as an experiment then occasional smoking like in weekends, with friends or at parties.
2. Occasional smoking is very dangerous phase as it may lead to addictive phase and teens start doing regular smoking.
3. Sometimes due to nervousness they also try smoking and once they get relieved then continue it and become addicted.
4. Peer pressure also plays a significant role in smoking addiction.
5. Cigarettes contain Nicotine which stimulates the pleasure feeling part of the brain.
6. Nicotine on the other hand also acts as hunger suppressant hence smoking has become popular among those who are dieting.
7. Recently scientists have discovered raised levels of a pleasure molecule called as Dopamine due to nicotine. This pleasure molecule or dopamine is also involved with various other drug addictions like heroin and cocaine. Due to this molecule it becomes hard to quit smoking or other drug addictions.
8. According to some people smoking also helps in stress relieving.

Teen Smoking Facts:

Here are some of the shocking teen smoking facts:

• On an average, about 4000 teens will start smoking every day. Among them 1300 will become regular smokers and 2000 would die due to the smoking habit
• The average age of starting smoking 18.9 years (in the year 2006)
• The earlier you start smoking, the harder it is to quit. Teens who had smoked about 100 cigarettes found it very difficult to quit smoking even if they would like to
• Teens who smoke are more likely to use illegal drugs and marijuana. Teens who smoke have 8 times probability of smoking marijuana, 22 times probability of using cocaine when compared to teens who do not start smoking
• Teens who smoke are more likely to be involved in behaviors such as fights, weapon carrying, and risky sexual behavior

These teen smoking facts indicate the dangerous impact of smoking in teenagers. Hence, teens should avoid smoking or make an effort to stop smoking