 Teens
are often faced with the pressure to start smoking. But starting
to smoke might be the worst decision you ever make, one that you
will regret for the rest of your life. Nicotine is a major ingredient
in cigarettes, and it’s harmful and highly addictive. Once
you start, there is a great chance that you won’t be able to
stop for a long time. Nicotine narrows your blood vessels and strains
your heart. It’s also directly related to developing serious
lung and heart conditions later on in life, like heart disease, lung
cancer and emphysema. Smoking will affect your breathing and make
it more difficult for you to be active. Nicotine corrodes your lungs
with gunk, which causes you to want to cough all the time. Plus,
smoking is really unattractive when you think about it. Smokers can’t
get rid of the strong smell of tobacco on their clothes and in their
hair. Smoking can also stain your teeth and cause bad breath. There
are so many bad things about smoking that it’s a wonder anybody
starts. If you’re even thinking about trying it out, don’t.
You’ll wish you never did.
If you already smoke and feel
like you are addicted, there is hope. If you stop while you are
young, you will have much less of
a chance of developing health conditions as you get older. Try
substituting cigarettes with treats, like sugarless gum or even
something sugary,
if that’s what it takes, to help curb your cravings. Talk to
your doctor about “the patch” and other medicines if
you think you need some help quitting.
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