Ninety Percent of New Smokers Are Teens
TEENS: The good news is that in the last two decades, the
percentage of teen smokers has dropped to 19.5 percent from 27.5
percent. The not-so-good news is that the decline in teen smokers
has slowed in recent years. Today, more than 3 million high school
students smoke cigarettes.
According to a report by the U.S. Surgeon General, nearly 90
percent of new smokers begin before they turn 18. Three- quarters of
them continue smoking into adulthood and likely will become addicted
to tobacco. Dr. Regina Benjamin, the surgeon general, said, "The
addictive power of nicotine makes tobacco use much more than a
passing phase for most teens. We now know smoking causes immediate
physical damage, some of which is permanent." Public health
campaigns and school programs have helped raise awareness about the
dangers of smoking. Laws have made it more difficult for youths to
purchase cigarettes, but Dr. Benjamin says we need to do more to
keep our young people from lighting up their first cigarette.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United
States, killing more than 1,200 people every day. This is a shocking
preventable statistic and for every tobacco-related death, two new
smokers take up the smoking habit. Teens tend to follow in the
footsteps of their parents. Those parents who are nonsmokers are
setting an excellent example for their children. Those who do smoke
can also set an excellent example for their children by ending the
nicotine habit. It's difficult to break the nicotine habit, but
determination and a strong will can make you tobacco free. This
would be a wonderful gift to your family.
It is important that parents continue to remind their children of
the evils of smoking. According to Danny McGoldrick, vice president
for research at the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, tobacco
companies spend more than 10 billion dollars a year marketing their
products. That's why parents need to be spending quality time
reminding their teens to remain tobacco free. It doesn't cost a cent
and could result in a happy, healthy teen eventually becoming a
happy, healthy adult living a life free of tobacco!
DRIVERS WATCH OUT FOR MOTORCYCLES AND BIKES!
DR. WALLACE: I enjoy riding my motorcycle, and I appreciate your
advice that drivers and passengers should always wear a safety
helmet when riding on the bike. Wearing protective headgear is
necessary but not because we bikers are reckless riders. The reason
is that many automobile drivers are reckless drivers. Much too often
car drivers change lanes without checking to see if a biker is
legally riding in the next lane. Unfortunately, when an automobile
and a motorcycle "kiss," the bike riders are usually the losers. -
Carlos, N. Aurora, Ill.
CARLOS: I'm printing your letter to remind all automobile, truck
and bus drivers to drive cautiously and to always be aware of other
vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles. Drivers should always
use directional signals and check for motorcycle and bike riders
when changing lanes.
Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he
is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as
many as possible in this column. Email him at
rwallace@galesburg.net. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace
and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and
cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at
www.creators.com.
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