Cigarette smoking has harmful effects on Teenagers health and increases the risk of contracting lung cancer and other smoking related cancers. Cigarette smoking is harmful especially for teenagers as their body is in developmental stage. Teen smokers can develop smaller lungs, weaker hearts, and other health complications. Although active smoking is associated with various harmful health effects, studies have shown that passive smoking can also cause coronary heart diseases, chronic respiratory problems, lung cancer etc. One cigarette smoked reduces the lifespan of individual by 11 minutes.

Composition of Cigarette
A cigarette smoke contains around 4000 chemical compounds and around 69 of them can cause cancer. A cigarette smoke also contains 43 chemical compounds that are identified are carcinogens. Apart from Nicotine which is the basic chemical in a cigarette that causes addiction, some of the harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke are carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, hydrogen cyanides, ammonia etc. Cigarette smoke is also found to have mutagens which are chemical compounds that cause mutations in genes. A single puff releases these harmful chemicals in the body and is responsible for various health effects and lung cancer.

Harmful Effects on Body
Cigarette smoking is responsible for significant number of cancer related deaths. The person who smokes cigarettes is at the risk of contracting cancer of lungs, larynx, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus etc. Short term effects of smoking include respiratory problems, nicotine addiction, and addiction to other drugs. The carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke reduces the oxygen level in blood. Lack of oxygen in blood then affects the functioning of vital organs like brain, heart, lungs etc. Smoking also increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Long term exposure to smoking can result in lung cancer, low levels of lung functioning, reduced rate of lung growth etc. Physical effects of smoking include reduced stamina, performance, and endurance. Smoking also makes a person looks older as it depletes the vitamin A levels in the body. Teenage smokers experience shortness of breath three times more than non-smoker teenagers.

Smoking may result into chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) like bronchitis and emphysema. Smoking cigarettes or tobacco use during pregnancy has harmful effects on both the mother and unborn baby. It increases the risk of pregnancy related complications. Even passive smoking is damaging for the health of infants and children and they can suffer from respiratory problems like asthma, nose and throat infection etc.

Difficulty to Quit Smoking
Smokers find it difficult to quit smoking due to physical, mental, or emotional side effects that arise when they try to quit smoking. When smokers try to quit smoking they may feel craving, anxiety, irritability, intestinal disorder etc. People may also feel changes in emotions, temper changes, inability to focus etc. Difficulty to quit smoking arises as the body is accustomed to nicotine addiction and sudden withdrawal causes these side effects. People who want to get rid of smoking should quit the company of friends who are smokers. They should join groups who have quit smoking or trying to quit. Support from family and friends prove beneficial at this state. Strong will power and motivation will help the people to withstand these side effects.

There are more chances that teenagers who start smoking at early age are likely to continue smoking in older age and abuse drugs or alcohol. Teenagers should be made aware of harmful effects of smoking on their health. Awareness drives and anti-smoking campaigns at schools and colleges can help prevent teenagers from taking up smoking.

Today’s teens live busy lives, up early and staying up late. Their days are filled with school, after school activities, sports, jobs, homework and social activities. They feel tired and need energy to continue their long days. Energy drinks promise quick energy bursts, thus the names Boost and Rush. They promise them extra power of concentration. This energy comes in the form of caffeine. These drinks contain exorbitant amount of caffeine. Caffeine is a drug, and in such large doses does affect the lives of teens. The teens can become jittery, have sleep problems and often terrible headaches result. Large amounts of caffeine can cause dehydration and heart palpitations. Caffeine addiction is one reason energy drinks and teen health are not related.

Lots of sugar can be found in energy drinks, along with many calories. Teens are gaining weight from drinking multiple drinks a day. The sugar is awful on their teeth. Plus, these drinks are filling. They are not meant to be meals, but are often used that way. By drinking these drinks as meals, the teens are not getting the proper nutrition they need to be healthy. They need to be eating healthy, balanced meals to get the nutrition they need to get through hectic days.

You shouldn’t automatically think that energy drinks and teen health are not possible. But, energy drinks do have the potential to adversely affect the lives of teens when they are constantly drinking them. They are even being blamed for a few deaths when they were taken with alcohol. Legislators in some states are trying to get energy drinks to not be sold to minors or at least banned in schools. These drinks can be harmless, but they can be dangerous. Parents and teens themselves need to be aware of the side effects of these tasty, popular energy producing drinks before the negative effects begin.

As with anything, moderation is crucial. Skipping one meal for an energy drink or drinking a drink when a little extra energy is needed to stay up late cramming for exams will not be detrimental. You shouldn’t automatically think that energy drinks and teen health are not possible. But, energy drinks do have the potential to adversely affect the lives of teens when they are constantly drinking them. They are even being blamed for a few deaths when they were taken with alcohol. Legislators in some states are trying to get energy drinks to not be sold to minors or at least banned in schools. These drinks can be harmless, but they can be dangerous. Parents and teens themselves need to be aware of the side effects of these tasty, popular energy producing drinks before the negative effects begin.