It's common knowledge that cigarette smoking is not good for you. Younger people, especially, might shrug this off without having a full grasp of exactly how bad it is. Smoking now will not only affect you as you age, but there are immediate ramifications as well. If you smoke, it's already taking a severe, though maybe silent, toll on your health, even if you are a teenager
IMPACT ON HEALTH
f you are in your teens, you are still growing. According to the World Health Organization, smoking now will stunt the growth of your lungs. If you continue smoking, they will never develop as fully as they might have. This can be a lifelong disability. WHO also indicates that early signs of heart disease and stroke have been found in teenagers who smoke, so these are not necessarily problems that will only happen to later in life.
IMPACT ON FINANCES
As of 2009, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes--midway between generic and premium brands--was $5.51. Also in 2009, minimum wage was $7.25 per hour. If you're a high school student who works, chances are that you have a minimum-wage job. Smoking means that you must put in approximately three quarters of an hour in order to buy a pack of cigarettes.
IMPACT ON SPORTS
If you're active, smoking has probably already taken a toll on your performance sports-wise, even if you haven't noticed it yet. According to WHO, the resting heart rate of a teenager who smokes is two to three beats faster than her non-smoking friend. Teenagers who smoke also exhibit shortness of breath when exerting themselves three times more often than teenagers who don't smoke.
IMPACT ON SOCIAI LIFE
Smoking is highly addictive. According to Kids Health, you can become addicted to nicotine after just a few days of using it. It can become very disruptive to your social life. Most states have laws banning smoking in public places and many people don't want guests to smoke in their homes. This won't stop you from experiencing cravings when you're out, however. In order to satisfy the craving, you may have to leave the party or gathering--repeatedly--and go stand outside by yourself to smoke. And if you can't slip away for some reason, you'll suffer withdrawal symptoms and feel miserable until you can.
IMPACT ON APPEARANCE
Smoking also makes you look bad. In turns your teeth and fingernails yellow, and it makes your hair smell, not to mention your clothing. It can also affect your complexion.
IMPACT ON SEXUALITY
IF YOU ARE IN A RELATIONSHIP WITH A NONSMOKER, ANTICIPATE THAT HE MIGHT NOT LIKE KISSING YOU BECAUSE HE CAN TASTE THE CIGARETTES ON YOUR BREATH. SMOKING LONG-TERM CAN ALSO REDUCE YOUR FERTILITY, SO IF YOU THINK YOU WANT KIDS OF YOUR OWN SOMEDAY, YOU MAY HAVE PROBLEMS CONCEIVING THE LONGER YOU SMOKE
