All kids have the same foe, and this is smoking. Adults and even children know the health risks of tobacco, yet the rates of smoking and using chewing tobacco continue to grow. Many smokers started smoking when they were minors. Statistics show that 90% of all adult smokers started when they were kids. And each day, more than 4,400 kids become regular smokers.
So it was particularly encouraging to see President Barack Obama this week surrounded by children from the Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids sign the strongest anti-smoking measure ever, calling it – an exceptional fulfillment that will help keep children from getting hooked on cigarettes. This new legislation is a clear victory especially for kids. The bill banned flavored cigarettes too, and this last measure could have significant health benefits.
Mr. Obama quoted his own long effort to quit the cigarettes when he got hooked on as a teenager and praised the new anti-smoking bill for protecting kids from tobacco products.
Many studies showed that African Americans smoke fewer cigarettes when compared to Caucasians, but they share a far greater load of smoking related health problems.
Anti-smoking researchers think that kids start smoking only because they don’t understand the dangers of tobacco use. That’s why this new bill will give them more information about harmful effects of cigarette smoking.
As it is known smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, and can cause cancer, heart disease, and lung disease. Chewing tobacco (smokeless or spit tobacco) can induce to nicotine addiction, oral cancer, gum disease, and an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks.
Children should not smoking and chewing tobacco for any number of reasons, such as: to look cool, act older, lose weight, win cool goods, or feel independent. Even parents can protect children from trying and getting addicted to tobacco.
People become addicted because of nicotine, a chemical substance found in tobacco products. Someone can get addicted to nicotine within days of first using it. In fact, the nicotine in tobacco can be as addictive as cocaine or heroine.
Researchers are sure that informing kids about the risks of smoking and chewing tobacco, and establishing clear rules and reasons for them, can help protect them from these unhealthy and addictive habits.