Everyone knows that cancer kills. And, everyone knows that one of the many ways to get cancer
is by smoking. But, what is the reason behind the smoking? Why would teens risk their lives to
'look cool'? Are the peers they want to be accepted by really a better person than they? Of course
not! Sometimes, acceptance and confidence can be hard things to come by, especially if there's
turmoil at home, grades are low, or there is other social pressures. Smoking does not keep things
like this from happening, or make them go away if they show up. In fact, if anything, it shows
weakness of character in a person who gives in to the peer pressure. A person should not have to
smoke just because their 'friends' do.
It's time teens and young adults found their originality. And the best way to do that is live their
life for Jesus. After all, He was an advocate for the minority in His day~women, outcasts from
society, children-teens included. Remember, Mary was young when she was chosen to bear the
baby Jesus~probably 13-17 years old.
A person should not have to risk their health, or die, just to be accepted and 'look cool'.
11:00 A. M . Monday, May 9th, 1910. Newsies at Skeeter's Branch, Jefferson near Franklin. They were all smoking. Location: St. Louis, Missouri.
photo credit By Lewis Hine [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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