Even though the dangers of smoking, such as lung cancer, emphysema and chronic bronchitis, are well publicized, this doesn't stop teenagers from adopting the habit. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each day 3,900 teenagers smoke their first cigarette. As of 2007, 20 percent of all high school students were regular smokers. Most long-term smokers picked up the habit during adolescence, but individuals have different reasons for doing so.
Peer Pressure
The standard stereotype of peer pressure involves a teenager literally being bullied into picking up a bad habit--in this case, smoking. In reality, however, peer pressure is often much more subtle. Teens who see their friends smoking and enjoying the experience may be tempted to try it themselves. In addition, not participating in an activity that others are participating in leaves impressionable teens feeling "left out" and more likely to pick up the habit merely to fit in with the group.
Weight Control
Dr. Jane Mitchell Rees of the University of Washington notes that adolescence is a time when children first begin to develop a body image and are concerned with their appearance and how others perceive them. Because of this, weight control is a significant issue with teenagers. Smoking speeds up the metabolism and can contribute to weight loss. Because of this, some teenagers pick up smoking as a weight loss aid during their teen years and become addicted. More teen girls than boys turn to cigarettes as a form of weight control.
Familiarity
No-smoking.org reports that having parents and other close family members who smoke makes adolescents more likely to try cigarettes and subsequently become addicted. By constant exposure to cigarettes and smoking, children come to see smoking as perfectly normal adult behavior. In addition, having family members who smoke increases the availability of cigarettes. Teenagers can simply take cigarettes from unattended packs around the house rather than putting effort into getting them another way.
When a parent incorporates cigarettes into a teenager's life by having him bring the cigarettes, clean ashtrays or even light cigarettes, the teen is more likely to pick up the habit than an adolescent who does not handle cigarettes or cigarette paraphernalia on a regular basis.
Rebellion
Teenagers naturally use rebellion as a way of asserting their independence on the path to adulthood. Through rebellion, adolescents deliberately participate in activities they know their parents wouldn't approve of. Almost all parents, including those who are smokers themselves, disapprove of their children smoking, making cigarettes a common tool for rebellious teens.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Youth and Tobacco Use
- Washington University: Eating Disorders During Adolescence
- ScienceDaily: Teenage Girls Starting a Diet, Twice As Likely to Start Smoking
- No-smoking.org: Smoker's Children are Likely to Smoke
- Child and Youth Health: Cigarettes and Smoking
