Counseling about the health effects of smoking in different age groups

Higher rates of asthma, colds, pneumonia, and ear infections, even if parents do not smoke in the house.

Increases rates of heart disease in the long term.

Children are much more likely to become smokers if their parents smoke, even if parents tell children not to start.

Heart disease – Chance of heart attack is 3 to 6 times higher in smokers.

Lung cancer – Chance of getting lung cancer is up to 30 times higher in smokers.

Other cancers – Smoking increases the risk for at least 10 types of cancer, including kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, stomach, and cervix.

Other lung disease – Smoking increases asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and chronic cough.

Other – Smoking increases risk for infertility, premature birth, ulcers, osteoporosis, and diabetes.

Bad breath and smell.

Yellow teeth.

Harder to keep up in sports.

Even trying smoking just a few times can get your body hooked so that it is harder to stop.

Cigarettes are expensive. Smokers spend money on cigarettes that they could use for more fun things.

Tobacco companies use advertisements to try to trick you into thinking that smoking is cool and safe.

Smoking has long-term effects on health, including several types of cancer and heart attacks.

It is illegal to buy cigarettes when you are underage.

Cosmetic effects (smell, bad breath, yellow teeth, early wrinkles).

Reduced endurance and athletic performance.

More hacking coughs, colds, and pneumonias.

Smoking does not cause weight loss in teens.

You can get addicted to tobacco after smoking as few as 100 cigarettes.

Cigarette smoking is expensive. The cost of buying 1 pack a day for a year could buy a used car (as high as $4300 a year in some states).

When you smoke, you are being controlled by the tobacco companies' marketing; when you do not smoke, you show smart independent thinking.