Smoking causes long-term health problems, such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. To teenagers, however, these consequences may seem vague and distant. Teens have a more immediate mindset and may be unable to appreciate the impact the decisions they make now will have on their adult health. Smoking during the teen years not only sets the stage for long-term health issues, but also causes short-term effects that teenagers experience right away.
Toxins
Cigarettes contain toxins. Poisonous chemicals such as tar, carbon monoxide, arsenic, formaldehyde and the insecticide DDT can be found in cigarettes, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians on its Family Doctor website. These poisons accumulate over time and exert a gradual effect, says the website Kids Health, which can lead to the smoking-related conditions of emphysema and cancer.
Short-Term Effects
Although the most serious effects of smoking occur over time, smoking causes changes in appearance that teenagers notice almost immediately, according to Kids Health. The smell of stale smoke lingers in clothing and hair, and smoking causes persistent bad breath. Tar and nicotine turn teeth and fingertips yellow. Teens who smoke see their skin turn pasty because smoking impairs blood circulation. Smoking reduces physical performance, causing shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat and poor circulation. Teenagers who smoke may be prone to injuries and extended healing times because smoking interferes with the production of collagen, an important connective tissue found in tendons and ligaments. Smoking increases the incidence of respiratory illnesses, such as colds, flu and bronchitis.
Addiction
Nicotine is an addictive drug. Any use of tobacco products will cause dependence and cravings for nicotine, according to Kids Health. The addiction is difficult to break, and quitting becomes increasingly difficult the longer a person has smoked. For people who start smoking during their teen years, quitting is especially challenging. Nicotine addiction is considered an "entrance drug," explains the organization Teen Drug Abuse. Teenagers who use tobacco are more likely than those who do not use tobacco products to experiment with other drugs. In addition, teenagers may become addicted to the thrill of smoking. That is, they enjoy going against their parents' rules and breaking the law and they crave attention, even if it is negative.
Personality Effects
Smoking affects the personality of teenagers more than adults, says Teen Drug Abuse. Teenagers tend to become abrasive and more aggressive when they smoke. Smoking makes them feel "older and wiser" than their classmates who do not smoke. They argue more with their parents and friends than those who do not smoke. For some teens, smoking is their way to join social networks and to find companions. On the other hand, smoking can isolate them from their peers and social activities.
Myths
Teenagers may believe smokeless tobacco or unusual methods of smoking make smoking safe. In fact, no type of tobacco product is harmless, advises Family Doctor. Water pipes, or hookahs, are rumored to be a safe alternative to cigarettes because the smoke passes through water before being inhaled. The truth is that smoking through a hookah carries all of the dangers of cigarettes plus the added risks of infection from sharing the pipe. Smokeless electronic cigarettes, or e-cigarettes, use nicotine-filled cartridges instead of tobacco. These devices contain the same cancer-causing toxins as tobacco cigarettes and can result in nicotine addiction.
