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For teens

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Are you a young woman who smokes or do you know a young woman who smokes? You might think you can stop smoking at any time — and we hope you can and do! But the fact is, it will take 16 to 20 years of addicted smoking before the average person who started smoking as a teen will be able to quit for good.

Don't be that average person! It's time to recognize how smoking can affect a person's health now and in the future. You also need to know about the powerful and manipulating effects of tobacco advertising on young people. Increasingly, studies are showing that tobacco advertising is a major factor in teens' decisions to start smoking. In fact, it may be an even more important risk factor for smoking than having friends who smoke. Visit the girlshealth.gov smoking section to get straight talk on cigarettes and other forms of tobacco, as well as tools to help you say no to tobacco.

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More information on for teens

Explore other publications and websites

• How Can I Quit Smoking? (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) — This publication explains the steps teens can take to quit smoking and live healthier lives.
  http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/tobacco/quit_smoking.html
• Marijuana: Facts for Teens — This booklet provides teens with answers to frequently asked questions about marijuana, including what it is, who uses it, and how it affects a person physically and mentally after short and long-term use.
  http://www.nida.nih.gov/MarijBroch/Marijteens.html
• Mind Over Matter: Tobacco Addiction — This publication discusses the effects of nicotine on the body and brain. It also provides information about how people become addicted.
  http://teens.drugabuse.gov/mom/mom_nic1.asp
• NIDA for Teens — This Internet site is designed for teens, parents, and teachers, and provides facts on different drugs and how they affect the body, real stories about teens and their struggles with drugs, answers to common questions, and interactive tools and games.
  http://teens.drugabuse.gov/
• Smoking (Copyright © Nemours Foundation) — This publication provides information on how tobacco companies target teens to become smokers and the problems of peer pressure. It also offers information on why smoking is addictive and how it negatively affects the body.
  http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/tobacco/smoking.html
• Teen Quit: To Help You Quit Smoking — You know that you have to quit smoking, but the question is how? Check out this special site just for teens to get tips on quitting. It offers tools to help you quit, real stories, and links for parents.
  http://www.teenquit.com/index2.asp
• Teen Smoking: 10 Ways to Help Teens Stay Smoke-free (Copyright © Mayo Foundation) — These 10 tips can help you talk to your teenager about smoking. From talking to them about the health risks to setting a good example for them, parents can play an active role to keep their teens smoke-free.
  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/teen-smoking/HQ00139
• The Scoop on Smoking (Copyright © American Council on Science and Health) — This site, targeted toward teens, provides information on smoking and tobacco. It includes information on health effects, real-life stories about other teens' struggles with smoking, quizzes to test your knowledge of the effects of smoking, and information on how to quit.
  http://thescooponsmoking.org/
• Tips for Teens: The Truth About Marijuana — This brochure discusses marijuana use, its long-term and short-term effects, the physical and mental health risks, and the legal implications.
  http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/govpubs/phd641/
• Tobacco Addiction — This article, written for teens, explains what nicotine is, how it is used, and how many teens use it. It also discusses the effects and risks associated with using nicotine.
  http://teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/facts_nicotine1.asp
• What You(th) Should Know About Tobacco — This publication lists all the negative effects of using tobacco. It offers information for teens, parents, and coaches about how tobacco can affect your physical appearance, your athletic performance, and your health.
  http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/youth/information_sheet/

Connect with other organizations

• Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
  http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/index.php
• Center for Young Women's Health
  http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/
• KidsHealth
  http://kidshealth.org/
• No Smoking Room
  http://nosmokingroom.org
• Office on Smoking and Health, CDC
  http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/
• Smokefree.gov
  http://www.smokefree.gov/
• The BACCHUS Network
  http://www.bacchusnetwork.org/

Content last updated May 19, 2010.

Resources last updated May 19, 2010.

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