701-572-2718
ABUSE MAGAZINE
THE SOLUTIONS
Prevention is critical . If young people don ’ t start using tobacco by age 26 , they almost certainly will never start . The good news is that there are many things we can do to help keep teens and young adults tobacco-free . We can :
• Create a world where seeing people smoke or use other tobacco products is the exception , not the norm .
• Take steps that make it harder for youth to use tobacco , such as raising cigarette prices and enforcing laws that prohibit the sale of tobacco to children .
• Further limit tobacco marketing that is likely to be seen by young people .
• Limit youth exposure to smoking in movies and other media .
• Educate young people and help them make healthy choices .
• Set an example — encourage young people to avoid tobacco use by quitting ourselves .
For many decades , local and state health departments , schools , and federal programs have taken steps to protect youth from tobacco use . But in recent years , many of these efforts have been scaled back . We know what works to keep young people tobacco-free , but we don ’ t always do what is necessary . We have already made some progress in reducing tobacco use by youth . Let ’ s finish what we started and make the next generation tobacco free .
The lungs of young smokers don ’ t perform as well as those of nonsmokers . Because their lungs don ’ t work as well , they are short of breath and may have more trouble participating in sports and other physical activities . Even though people who stop smoking will improve their health dramatically , early lung damage doesn ’ t go away completely in most cases .
SMOKING CAN LEAD TO CANCER
Tobacco smoke contains about 70 chemicals that can cause cancer . It ’ s no surprise , then , that smoking causes about one in three of all cancer deaths in the United States . And it can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body by damaging DNA .
Youth — a Great Time to Quit
The good news : Smokers who quit before age 30 will undo much of the health damage caused by tobacco use .
Why Is It So Hard to Quit ?
Tobacco users often get hooked on nicotine — the drug in cigarettes , cigars , and smokeless tobacco ( snuff and chewing tobacco ). Many teens and young adults plan to quit using tobacco after a few years but find out too late how powerfully addictive nicotine can be . Like heroin and cocaine , nicotine acts on the brain and creates feelings of pleasure or satisfaction . Young brains are still developing . That may be one reason many teens feel dependent on tobacco after using it for only a short time .
Quitting isn ’ t easy , but it can be done . Better yet — don ’ t start !
Not starting is even better than quitting . Their health depends on it !
5208 2nd Ave . West • Williston , ND
701-572-2718
We are proud to support our future leaders in their efforts to remain ABUSE FREE !
4001 2nd Avenue West Williston , ND 701-572-8550
“ Kids invest in your future by remaining ABUSE FREE and College bound !”
701-774-2436
Proudly supporting our future leaders to remain ABUSE FREE !”
Prairie Petro-Chem of America , LLP
3119 1st Ave . West • Williston , ND
We are proud to support the fight for an ABUSE FREE North Dakota !
2644 1st Avenue E • Williston , ND
abusemagazine . org | North Dakota Spring / Summer 2014 | 11