10 Considerations if You’re Thinking of Trying Cigarettes

A comprehensive guide for teenagers considering smoking, covering health risks, peer pressure, and practical strategies to make informed, healthier decisions.

About this article...

  • Suitable for members aged 12-17
  • 4 minute read
  • 847 words (2.1 sides of A4)
  • Providing help and guidance on Cigarettes & Vaping and Staying Safe
  • Created and reviewed by our team of experts

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Thinking about trying cigarettes? Many teenagers consider smoking at some point, whether out of curiosity, peer pressure, or other influences. However, it's important to understand the risks and consequences before making a decision. Smoking may seem like a small choice, but it can have a lasting impact on your health, lifestyle, and future. Here are ten key considerations to think about before you light up.

1. What's in a Cigarette?

Cigarettes contain tobacco, which is packed with over 7,000 chemicals, including nicotine, a highly addictive substance. Many of these chemicals, like tar, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde, are toxic and harmful to your body. Understanding what you're putting into your body is the first step in making an informed choice.

2. Why Do People Start Smoking?

People start smoking for various reasons, such as peer pressure, stress, or simply to fit in. Advertisements and social media sometimes glamorise smoking, making it seem rebellious or cool. But the reasons to start are often fleeting compared to the long-term consequences.

3. The Health Risks of Smoking

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. It's linked to lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory problems. Even occasional smoking can damage your lungs and increase your risk of illness. As a young person, these risks may seem distant, but they can develop faster than you think.

4. Impact on Physical Appearance10 Considerations if You're Thinking of Trying Cigarettes

Smoking doesn't just affect your insides, it also impacts how you look. Yellow teeth, bad breath, stained fingers, and premature wrinkles are all common side effects. These changes can happen quickly and are difficult to reverse.

5. How Smoking Affects Others

Second-hand smoke is dangerous for those around you, particularly children and people who are not well. By smoking, you're not only risking your own health but also exposing friends and family to harmful toxins. This can lead to guilt and strained relationships.

6. Addiction and the Cost of Smoking

Nicotine in cigarettes is highly addictive, making it very hard to quit once you start. This addiction can lead to spending large amounts of money on cigarettes over time. Imagine what else you could do with that money, buying clothes, gadgets, or saving for a trip!

7. A Real-Life Story

Sam, a 16-year-old from Birmingham, shared his experience: "I started smoking at 14 because my friends did it. At first, it felt grown-up, but soon I was coughing all the time and couldn't run as fast in PE. I hated spending my pocket money on cigarettes but couldn't stop. When I finally quit, it was tough, but I felt so much better about myself." Sam's story is a reminder of how easy it is to start, and how challenging it can be to stop.

8. Breaking the Peer Pressure Cycle

If friends are encouraging you to smoke, it can feel difficult to say no. But true friends won't pressure you into doing something that harms you. Try these strategies for handling peer pressure:
  • Be confident: "No thanks, I don't want to smoke."
  • Change the subject: Shift the conversation to something you enjoy, like sports or music.
  • Use humour: "I'd rather keep my lungs in working order!"

9. Healthy Alternatives to Relieve Stress

If you're thinking about smoking to cope with stress, consider healthier options. Exercise, journaling, listening to music, or talking to a friend can be effective ways to relax without harming your body.

10. Get Support If You Need It

If you're already smoking or struggling with the temptation to start, reaching out for help is a positive step. Talk to a trusted adult, like a teacher or parent, or reach out to a support organisation like NHS Smoke free. They can offer advice and resources to help you make healthier choices.

Conclusion

Deciding whether to try cigarettes is a significant choice. By understanding the risks, thinking about your motivations, and preparing strategies for dealing with peer pressure, you can make an informed decision. Remember, your health and future are worth protecting. Saying no to cigarettes is a decision you'll never regret.

How are you feeling?

It is really important that when we need help, we feel able to ask for it. This could be speaking to a parent, a close friend, a teacher or someone else you trust. Sometimes it can be really hard to share our feelings with other people but if we are feeling low or don't know where to turn, sharing with others is really important. Teachers will always take you seriously and listen to your problems in confidence if you approach them for help. Likewise, parents, siblings or friends will help you if you reach out to them.

If you feel like you can't speak to anyone you know, there are people and organisations that can help support you:

  • Childline - Call them on 0800 1111 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • NSPCC - Call them on 0808 800 5000 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday or email them on help@NSPCC.org.uk
  • The Samaritans – Call them on 116 123 any time of the day or night, every day of the week
  • SANE – Call 0300 304 7000 for support (4:30pm - 10:30pm every day)
  • Mind – Call 0300 123 3393 (9:00am - 6:00pm Monday to Friday)

*Sometimes we will use real life examples in our articles to aid understanding. When we do, names and ages will be changed.