 One in five deaths each year is caused by prolonged smoking.  Smoking and secondhand smoke kill more people than AIDS, alcohol and drug abuse, car crashes, murders, suicides and fires combined.  One in three adolescents/young adults who are "just experimenting" end up being addicted by the time they are 20 years old.  Every cigarette you smoke takes away seven minutes of your life.

 Cigarettes contain over 4,000 chemicals and 2,000 poisons, including toxins found in nail polish remover, rat poisoning, battery acid, insecticides and rocket fuel.  Underage smoking (under age 18) is not only unhealthy, it is illegal! If caught, you will pay a heavy fine- or worse.  Nicotine, the main chemical in tobacco, is highly addictive; it is just as addictive as heroine or cocaine.

 Tobacco is an agricultural crop that is used to make cigarettes. It is grown all over the world and supports a billion-dollar industry. Tobacco is dried and processed, then either placed into cigarettes and processed, or manufactured for chewing tobacco. The psychoactive ingredient is nicotine, a stimulant, but more than 4,000 other chemicals (2,000 of which are known to be poisonous) are present in cigarettes.  Tobacco is a nervous system stimulant that triggers complex biochemical and neurotransmitter disruptions. It elevates heart rate and blood pressure, constricts blood vessels, irritates lung tissue, and diminishes your ability to taste and smell.

 Nicotine in tobacco, a strong poison, is the most addictive of all drugs. It stimulates the same areas of the brain as cocaine and amphetamines, and tolerance to nicotine develops faster than to cocaine or heroin.  Neurochemically, the body adapts to the toxins in tobacco a few hours after smoking. Soon smoking becomes necessary to feel "normal."

 Cancer -- Cancer of the lungs, mouth, throat, esophagus and more. (4X BREAST CANCER)  Frequent colds.  Chronic bronchitis.  Emphysema.  Stroke.  Heart disease.

 Stained teeth.  Bad breath.  Clothes, hair, hands, room and car reek of smoke.  Premature face wrinkles.  Diminished sense of taste and smell.  Smoking drains your wallet ($2.25 or more a pack).  Chewing tobacco leaves gross stuff between your teeth -- no kissing for you.

 By smoking you hurt others. Tobacco smoke is a serious threat to the health of nonsmokers. Smoke in the air from others' cigarettes contains toxic chemicals including tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, arsenic and cyanide. Nonsmokers who breathe it absorb these substances and are at risk for the same serious health consequences as smokers.

 The difficulty people have quitting smoking proves how extremely addictive nicotine is. Fortunately, most withdrawal symptoms disappear and the body begins repairing itself within two weeks of quitting.  There are now promising therapies (including drug, behavioral therapies and nicotine replacement) to support those who want to quit.

 Tobacco companies spend billions of dollars to entice adolescents and young adults into smoking. Ads are subtle, featuring sexy young adults having fun while holding cigarettes.  These tobacco companies are exploiting you and your generation, trying to sucker you into becoming a lifelong smoker. Don't be a chump! Fight back against the exploitation and don't smoke!

 Set a date for quitting. If possible, have a friend quit smoking with you.  Notice when and why you smoke. Try to find the things in your daily life that you often do while smoking (such as drinking your morning cup of coffee or driving a car).  Change your smoking routines. Keep your cigarettes in a different place. Smoke with your other hand. Don't do anything else when smoking.  Smoke only in certain places, such as outdoors.  When you want a cigarette, wait a few minutes. Try to think of something to do instead of smoking.  Buy one pack of cigarettes at a time. Switch to a brand of cigarettes you don't like.

 Get rid of all your cigarettes. Put away your ashtrays.  Change your morning routine. When you eat breakfast, don't sit in the same place at the kitchen table. Stay busy.  When you get the urge to smoke, do something else instead.  Carry other things to put in your mouth, such as gum, hard candy or a toothpick.  Reward yourself at the end of the day for not smoking. See a movie or go out and enjoy your favorite meal.

 Don't worry if you are sleepier or more short-tempered than usual; these feelings will pass.  Try to exercise. Take walks or ride a bike.  Consider the positive things about quitting. A positive attitude will help you through the tough times.  When you feel tense, try to keep busy.

 Eat regular meals. Feeling hungry is sometimes mistaken for the desire to smoke.  Start a money jar with the money you save by not buying cigarettes.  Let others know that you have quit smoking.. Most people will support you.  If you slip and smoke, don't be discouraged. Many former smokers tried to stop several times before they finally succeeded. Quit again.  If you need more help, see your doctor.