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.