Dangers of Smoking Tobacco in Teenagers

Smoking tobacco can be harmful to your health. Tobacco contains a poisonous (toxic), colorless chemical called nicotine. This chemical causes changes in your brain that make you want more and more. This is called addiction. This can make it hard to stop smoking once you start.

Most teens who use tobacco smoke cigarettes. Cigarettes have toxic chemicals that can hurt your body and cause cancer. Menthol or lite cigarette brands are not safer than regular brands.

How can smoking tobacco affect me?

Trying tobacco even once can put you at risk for addiction. Addiction to the nicotine in tobacco causes you to want to smoke again and again.

If you become addicted to cigarettes or other forms of tobacco, you increase your chances of getting:

• Cancer.
• Long-term (chronic) lung problems.
• Heart and blood vessel problems.
• Unpleasant symptoms (withdrawal) if you stop smoking, such as:
  • Mood swings.
  • Cravings.
  • Sleep problems.
  • Confusion.
• Mouth problems. This includes cavities, gum disease, and painful mouth sores.
• Vision problems.
• Other health problems, including loss of smell or taste.

Smoking also affects how you look and smell, including:

• Yellow or stained teeth, fingers, and fingernails.
• Wrinkles.
• Bad breath.
• Bad smelling clothes and hair.

When you choose to not smoke tobacco, you can:

• Lead a longer and healthier life.
• Look, smell, breathe, and feel better.
• Save money.
• Protect others from the harms of secondhand smoke.

What actions can I take to lower my risk of health problems?

• Do not start smoking. Quit if you already do smoke.
• Do not replace cigarette smoking with electronic cigarettes, which are commonly called e-cigarettes. The safety of e-cigarettes is not known, and some may contain harmful chemicals.
• Take care of your body. Get plenty of exercise, eat a healthy diet, and drink plenty of water.
• Find ways to manage your stress, such as meditation or exercise.
• Spend time with friends or family who do not smoke.
• Avoid places, people, or situations that tempt you to smoke.
• Talk to a trusted adult if you experience pressure to smoke or have a hard time managing stress.

Where to find more information

You can find more information about smoking from:

• Smokefreeteen: teen.smokefree.gov  
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: cdc.gov/tobacco  
• Youth Tobacco Cessation Collaborative: youthtobaccocessation.org  

Contact a health care provider if you:

• Have trouble managing stress.
• Have trouble quitting tobacco use on your own.

Get help right away:

You can go to your nearest emergency department or call:

• Your local emergency services (911 in the U.S.).
• A suicide crisis helpline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. This is open 24 hours a day.

Summary

• Tobacco contains a poisonous (toxic), colorless chemical called nicotine. Nicotine affects the brain and makes tobacco addictive.
• Not using tobacco will help you live a longer and healthier life.
• Do not start smoking. Quit if you already do smoke.
• Do not replace cigarette smoking with electronic cigarettes, which are commonly called e-cigarettes. The safety of e-cigarettes is not known, and some may contain harmful chemicals.
• Talk to your health care provider if you are having trouble quitting tobacco use on your own.