Beech Tree News Network

• ·         Tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

• ·         About 30% of teen smokers will continue smoking and die early from a smoking related disease.

• ·         Teen smokers are more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders, and depression.

• ·         Studies have found that nearly all first use of tobacco takes place before high school graduation.

• ·         Approximately 1.5 million pack of cigarettes are purchased for minors annually.

• ·         Each day, about 2,500 kids in the United States try their first cigarettes; and another 400 additional kids under 18 years of age become new regular, daily smokers.

• ·         The addiction rate for smoking is higher than the addiction rate for marijuana, alcohol, or cocaine and symptoms of serious nicotine addiction often occurs only weeks or even days after youth “experimentation” with smoking first begins.

• ·         Smoking can seriously harm kids while they are still young. Aside from the immediate bad breath, irritated eyes and throat and increased heartbeat and blood pressure, short-term harms from youth smoking include respiratory problems, reduced immune function, increased illness tooth decay, gum disease and pre-cancerous gene mutations.

If you would like to know more about the B.C. Drug Free coalition or have questions considering   any of the topics on the sheets please contact Rhonda Vaughn [email protected] or Ali Johnson [email protected]