Tobacco in any form can jeopardize your child’s health and cause incurable damage.
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 90% of smokers began before the age 19, and every day, almost 3,900 adolescents under 18 years of age try their first cigarette.
Teen smokers are also more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression.
Smokeless tobacco, also called spit, chew or snuff, is often used by teens that believe that it is a safe alternative to smoking cigarettes. This is an unfortunate misconception. Studies show that spit tobacco may be more addictive than smoking cigarettes and may be more difficult to quit. Teens who use it may be interested to know that one can of snuff per day delivers as much nicotine as 60 cigarettes. In as little as three to four months, smokeless tobacco use can cause periodontal disease and produce pre-cancerous lesions called leukoplakias.
Because the early signs of oral cancer usually are not painful, people often ignore them. If it’s not caught in the early stages, oral cancer can require extensive, sometimes disfiguring, surgery. Even worse, it can kill.
Help your child avoid tobacco in any form, by teaching your child about the dangers of tobacco early on. By doing so, they will avoid bringing cancer-causing chemicals in direct contact with their tongue, gums and cheek.
