Why does students smoke

Although the association was strongest for non-White boys, we did not find evidence of interactions between popularity and gender or ethnicity.

Conclusions: Popular middle school students were more likely to become smokers compared to their less popular peers. Although there seems some difference in the association by gender and ethnicity, the evidence does not suggest subgroup effects in this population.

Implications for the study of adolescent smoking and prevention programming are discussed. Among them: Tobacco cigarettes are the leading cause of preventable deaths in the United States, and can cause many diseases. E-cigarettes , vape pens, and hookahs water pipes are filled with tobacco, nicotine, and other harmful chemicals. Health experts report serious lung damage in people who vape, including some deaths. Chewing tobacco smokeless or spit tobacco can lead to nicotine addiction, cancer, gum disease, and heart disease.

Smoking and tobacco use can harm every body system and lead to long-term health problems such as: heart disease lung disease stroke many types of cancer — including lung, throat, stomach, and bladder cancer People who smoke also can get: more infections like pneumonia ulcers gum disease eye disease Smoking is linked to diabetes, joint problems arthritis , and skin problems like psoriasis.

Why Do Some Kids Smoke? How Can Parents Talk to Kids? To help prevent your kids from smoking, vaping, and using chewing tobacco, keep these tips in mind: Talk about it in a way that doesn't make kids fear punishment or judgment.

Keep talking to kids over the years about the dangers of tobacco use and vaping. Even the youngest child can understand that these habits are bad for the body. Ask what kids find appealing — or unappealing — about smoking.

Be a patient listener. Encourage kids to get involved in activities that don't allow smoking, such as sports. Show that you value your kids' opinions and ideas.

Discuss ways to respond to peer pressure to smoke. Your child may feel confident just saying "no. Self-confidence is a child's best protection against peer pressure. Encourage kids to walk away from friends who don't respect their reasons for not smoking.

Explain how much smoking takes over the daily life of kids who start doing it. How do they afford the cigarettes? How do they have money to pay for other things they want? How does it affect their friendships? Set firm rules that exclude smoking, vaping, and chewing tobacco from your house and explain why: Smokers smell bad, look bad, and feel bad, and it's bad for everyone's health. Reviewed: December 21, Medically Reviewed.

Teens who are socially awkward may start smoking as a way to fit in. However misguided, teens equate smoking with being grown-up, mature, and cool. They see their favorite actors doing it on TV or in movies, and they want to convey that same sense of style. Teenage girls might smoke to help them manage their weight.

Ads often show young adults having fun while smoking, increasing the appeal. If adults in the home smoke, a teen is much more likely to start. Using more breath mints or gum than in the past, to hide the habit. Having loose tobacco, wrappers, lighters, or smoking-related items in their clothing, backpack, or car. Asking for more money than they used to need.