Avoiding tobacco use will bring lifelong health benefits.

nicotine withdrawal nicotine substitute tobacco cessation program

Teens and Tobacco Fewer teens are starting to use tobacco. Knowing the health risks of tobacco use helps teens make the healthful decision to stay tobacco-free.

Why Some Teens Use Tobacco False Belief The Truth Smoking helps control weight Smoking reduces the capacity for physical activity, so it may lead to weight gain. Smoking helps cope with stress Nicotine addiction and tobacco-related health problems increase stress.

Why Some Teens Use Tobacco Others believe that smoking will make them seem mature and independent.   Media images may convince teens that tobacco use is glamorous.

Reduced Tobacco Use Among Teens The CDC reports that 77 percent of high school students nationwide do not smoke. Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 2005

Reduced Tobacco Use Among Teens Reasons Teens Are Smoking Less Tobacco Legislation No-Smoking Policies Family Values Positive Peer Pressure Health Risks

Reduced Tobacco Use Among Teens Teens who choose a tobacco-free lifestyle will feel mentally and physically better than teens who use tobacco.

Benefits of Living Tobacco-Free A tobacco-free lifestyle has many benefits. The best way to avoid the negative consequences of tobacco use is never to start using tobacco products.

Benefits of Living Tobacco-Free You will have better health and fewer health risks. Physical Benefits Mental/Emotional Benefits You will have less stress and a sense of freedom. Social Benefits You will look and feel better.

Strategies for Avoiding Tobacco Surround yourself with positive influences. Use these strategies to stick to your decision to live tobacco-free. Reduce peer pressure. Be prepared with refusal skills.

Strategies for Avoiding Tobacco Choose friends who support a tobacco-free lifestyle.

Quitting Tobacco Use There are good reasons for quitting tobacco use. Health care professionals can help tobacco users find the resources they need to successfully quit using tobacco.

Teens who use tobacco give these reasons for quitting: Quitting Tobacco Use Teens who use tobacco give these reasons for quitting: They begin to have health problems, such as asthma, coughing, or respiratory infections. They realize the high cost of tobacco or find it difficult to purchase tobacco products if they are under 18. They realize that using tobacco can lead to other risky behaviors, such as the use of alcohol and other drugs. They understand the damaging effects of secondhand smoke and do not want to harm others. They feel more powerful because they are not controlled by an addiction to nicotine.

Ending the Addiction Cycle Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include irritability, difficulty concentrating, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and cravings for tobacco. Nicotine withdrawal The process that occurs in the body when nicotine, an addictive drug, is no longer used

Ending the Addiction Cycle Smoking while using nicotine substitutes is dangerous due to increased nicotine exposure. Nicotine substitutes Products that deliver small amounts of nicotine into the user’s system while he or she is trying to give up the tobacco habit

Getting Help to Quit Tobacco Use Replace tobacco use with healthy behaviors. Access professional health services. Get support and encouragement. Prepare for the quit day.

Getting Help to Quit Tobacco Use Seek advice from a doctor, enroll in a tobacco cessation program or join a support group. Tobacco cessation program A course that provides information and help to people who want to stop using tobacco

Getting Help to Quit Tobacco Use Health care professionals can help tobacco users find the resources they need to successfully quit using tobacco.

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary What are four reasons that smoking among teens is on a downward trend? Sample answer: Anti-tobacco messages, expense, no smoking policies, positive peer pressure

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary List three reasons that you might use to convince a friend to quit using tobacco products. Sample answer: Cost, health problems, hard to buy

After You Read Reviewing Facts and Vocabulary Why might some people use nicotine substitutes when quitting smoking? A nicotine substitute delivers small amounts of nicotine into the user’s system while the user is trying to quit a tobacco habit.