At the beginning of my last prevention education program I started off by asking the students "how many of you have a parent, grandparent or other family member you spend time with who smokes or chews tobacco?" Over 80 percent of the hands went up with their smiles dropping down to frowns. I couldn't help but frown too, knowing that 100 percent of those kids who raised their hands are being exposed to over 7,000 chemicals and toxic poisons and are four times more likely to use themselves. Growing up in a two pack-per-day smoker household myself, I know all too well the influences that come from loved ones who use tobacco products. I often think, "if only their parents could see all of those young hands rise, maybe they'd realize that their "personal right" and choice to smoke impacts so many more lives then just their own.
The health risks of tobacco are well known, but kids and teens continue to smoke and chew. Each day, more than 3,800 youth try tobacco for the first time, while 1,000 of them become regular daily smokers. Knowing that over 90 percent of all adult tobacco users started before the age of 18, it is so important to make sure kids understand all of the dangers associated with tobacco use early in life. Are these educational programs enough? Even when kids know the facts, what still influences them to start? A common answer I hear is "Well, my parents do it."These facts are often challenged when I explain to adult tobacco users that their choice to smoke influences the likelihood that their children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews will use tobacco products someday by four times. I often hear, "My smoking is a personal right and doesn't impact anyone else but me!" While their children admit to me, "The other kids at school make fun of me because I always smell like a dirty ashtray from home." Or "My family doesn't have enough money to get groceries, but my Dad always has his smokes." Or "I get headaches all the time from my Grandpa's smoking, but I never say anything because I don't want to upset him." Or "my Mom uses it to relieve her stress, so even though I don't like the smell of it, I figured it could help me relax, too."
There is the cold hard truth. If it's not the evidence-based research, facts or figures that motivate you, maybe the honesty of our children's words will. You have a choice to either continue to use, or to quit now and make a positive impact on the younger generations. You are the one who holds the power to gain freedom for yourself while building a healthier foundation for our community to grow on in the future.
