Smoking Experiment

Smoking- Yuk!

We’ve all seen adults and older kids smoking. But have you ever wondered why they do it or why smoking is so bad for your health anyway?

Read our 5 Smoking Facts to find out!

1) Smoking is Poisonous

Cigarettes contain thousands of poisonous chemicals which taste horrible. Your body tries to get rid of poison by making you feel sick. This is why first time smokers often feel sick and dizzy or may cough a lot - it’s their body trying to protect them. If it tastes so awful why do people keep smoking?

2) It’s very hard to stop smoking

One of the chemicals in cigarettes is called nicotine. Nicotine is a very addictive drug which makes it hard to stop smoking. When you finish smoking a cigarette the levels of nicotine in your body starts to drop which makes you want another one. Fact: Over 78% of adults who smoke have tried to stop at some point.

3) Smoking Stinks!

Cigarette smoke sticks to your clothes, hair and makes your breath smell horrible. Kids and adults who smoke often don’t realise how bad they smell to other people. Is that the worst smoking will do to me?

4) Smoking Kills.

Smoking damages your lungs which makes it harder for you to run and play sport with your friends. It also makes you more likely to catch coughs and colds or suffer with asthma. Worst of all, smoking increases your chances of getting cancer and other horrible diseases which can kill you. Fact: The smoke from a lit cigarette is so bad it also harms the lungs of people around you too.

5) Smoking is Expensive

Believe it or not, kids and adults have to pay a lot of money to smoke. In fact smoking 20 cigarettes a day for 5 years costs £8000. Imagine what you could buy with that! Fact: Smoking is illegal until you are 18 years old and people who buy or sell cigarettes are breaking the law.

Many kids and teenagers try smoking because they have seen other people do it and they are curious. Some people think it makes them look cool or more grown up. They may offer you a cigarette because it makes them feel better if you do it as well. The best thing to do is tell them that you don’t want to smoke and walk away. Saying no may feel like a very hard do but quitting smoking is even harder. If you are worried about smoking or a friend who smokes you should talk to a parent or teacher who can give you more advice.

Smoking StinksInformation about the dangers of smoking and how to avoid peer pressure.