Reducing tobacco use in teenagers

By JESSE TUCKER-VAUGHN
6th Grader Auburn Elementary

I stand before you today with the belief that I will have a part in changing your world and the way we live. 4-H has taught me to stand up for what I believe in, even if I must stand alone. 4-H has also given me the courage to speak out, even if no one listens. To never give up my fight for whatever cause.

I am speaking to you today about a subject I am very passionate about. No, it's not about being the first woman President or even Vice President, it's about Reducing Tobacco Use in Teens. I will be pointing out some facts about smoking and how it affects our young generation.

Fact 1- Each day in the United States about 3900 young people between the ages of 12-17 start smoking, that is my age. These young people our my generation. Tobacco contains a drug called nicotine which is addictive. Whether you smoke, chew, or sniff nicotine is delivered to your brain. It is what keeps people smoking.

In eight seconds' nicotine is in the brain changing the way the brain works, forty minutes after your first cigarette your body will be craving the second one. Guess what? you will light up again. All the 4,000 chemicals drawled right into your body. Tobacco is also seen as a gateway drug, one used by young kids who move on to other drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana.

Fact 2- Smoking can have short and long term effects. Some of the short-term effects are bad breath, smelly hair and clothes, and stains on teeth.

Long term effects are:

Lung Disease- such as COPD/Bronchitis

Heart Disease/Stroke

Cancer- such as Lung, Mouth, and Throat

Pregnant mothers who are exposed to second-hand smoke are also more likely to have a baby with low birth weight. Newborns who breathe second-hand smoke suffer more ear-infections and asthma. Babies born to mothers who smoked are at greater risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

Did you know that every adult who dies from smoking is replaced by two young smokers? One of which will die. About 1,300 Americans stop smoking every day. I bet your thinking great the message got through. Sadly, it didn't, they stopped by dying.

Fact 3- Why do our young adults smoke? According to the American Lung Association you the adult, parent, or relative of a teen have the biggest influence. They look to you for what is normal and mature. Second is peer pressure we all like to be cool and part of the "in crowd".

Third-The Media:

Television Shows

Movies

Video Games

Gone are the days of tobacco commercials and vending machines still the message gets across.

Now in closing my speech Tobacco Use in Teens, I have pointed out facts on what smoking can lead to, such as the use of other drugs, health conditions, and why teens smoke. I can't close without stating a few facts on how you can help control Tobacco Use:

Set a good example- If you smoke stop!!

Parents- Talk to your teen, remember being a teenager is hard, applaud your teens good choices

Raise legal age from 18 to 21

Continue with more programs, such as 4-H's Health Rocks

Sign up for smoke-free text or call 1-800-Quit now

Quit lines are staffed by counselors trained to help smokers quit, and cost absolute nothing. Teenagers it might be as simple as saying, "NO THANKS I DON'T SMOKE".

Thank You