My grandfather passed away three years ago from the horrible consequences caused by smoking. He started as a young teenager and was never able to quit. I feel teen smoking is still a very big problem, especially in Wyoming.

Even though anti-smoking laws are beginning to surface throughout most of the United States, here in Wyoming we only have two cities that have put into law smoke free environments for all public places. Everyday three thousand teenagers under the age of 18 start smoking. It is estimated that 4.5 million young people are smokers in the United States alone. Many kids are smoking by the age of 11 and are addicted by the age of 14.

Wyoming’s statistics are not good. 22.5% of high school students smoke and 14.8% of middle school students smoke. Also our smokeless tobacco statistics are not any better. In fact, 21% of high school males use smokeless tobacco. That is two times higher than the nationally average of 11%. Even though Wyoming is at an all time high for state funded tobacco control programs, we still have along way to go.

I believe the #1 influence why kids start to smoke in the first place, is peer pressure. Wanting to look cool and fit it with friends. Also we still see celebrities smoking in movies and in magazines. Some of the terrible effects caused by smoking are yellow teeth, smelly clothes, respiratory problems and chronic coughing. Smoking also effects athletic ability and can lead to lifelong illnesses such as asthma, emphysema, COPD and lung and mouth cancer.

Education and parent influence I feel are the greatest deterrents in preventing teens from smoking. With help from state programs, a beneficial partnership can be made to spread the word about the horrible consequences and dangers of teen smoking.