According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, more than 2,000 kids under the age of 18 begin smoking every day in the U.S. Whether you start smoking because of peer pressure, movies, or because you've been watching your parents smoke your entire life, once you start, it can be difficult to quit. Even as a teen, you are not immune to the risks and negative effects of regular smoking.
Skin Effects
Even as a teen, smoking can have negative effects on your skin. The chemicals in tobacco smoke restrict your blood vessels, says KidsHealth.org. This means less oxygen reaches the surface of your skin, causing you to look pale. Smoking also leads to premature aging and wrinkles.
Foul Smell
Any nonsmoker knows how badly a smoker smells. The smell is on your breath, on your hair and in your clothes. While no health risks are involved with smelling badly, there may be social ramifications, as people avoid being close to you to avoid the smell.
Chronic Cough
As a teen smoker, your heartbeat will speed up, you will experience shortness of breath and your athletic performance will suffer, according to KidsHealth.org. Many teen smokers have a nagging cough that never goes away.
Introduction to Stronger Drugs
According to the Teen Drug Abuse website, nicotine is considered the number-one gateway drug. This means that teens who smoke cigarettes have a higher likelihood of experimenting with alcohol, marijuana and strong street drugs.
Increased Cancer Risk
Teenage smoking is associated with an increased chance of lifetime tobacco use, says Ohio State University. It is common knowledge that long-term smoking increases your risk of cancers of the lung, throat, mouth, pancreas and liver, and your risk of stroke.
