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"A Family Tradition for 130 Years" PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, April 9, 1996 - 5 Smoking... young teens admit 'peer pressure' got them hooked By Mary Sanchez Special to the Port Perry Star OU see itbeing done by actors on television, models in advertisements, people in public places... and, daily, kids at the front of Port Perry High School. Estimates show that smoking will cause the premature death of more than halfof young smokers now aged 15 ifthey continue their habit. With all of the proven health affects and long-term consequences that smoking causes, one has to wonder why an adolescent would even start. According tothe U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, adolescents take up smoking because of "the availability of cigarettes, the perception that tobacco use is the norm, peer and sibling attitudes and lack of parental support." The report also states that low self-esteem and rebelliousness are contributing factors. In other words, it's cool. WHEN STUDENTS at Port Perry High School were asked why they took up smoking, a majority said that they started in their first year of high school because they saw others doing it, and wanted to try it. "Thate to admit it, but I succumbed to peer pressure when I was 13", says one guy, who wanted to remain anonymous. "I thought I could fit in with all the high school . kids. Ithought it looked mature. But now I'm 17, and addicted to cigarettes." One 16-year-old girl said that she started smoking when she was 14. "I saw every- one else doing it and I thought 'why not'. I get really bored, and itis something to do. It alsorelieves stress." Another male student who is 16 shares some of the same views: "It's something to do with your hands. I was kind of against it (smoking) at first and someone offered me one, so I tried it. Ijust wanted to find out what it was like. Now I like the taste of it and I don't want to quit." Unlike this kid, most of the others interviewed said that they wanted to quit, but couldn't, "I've tried, but I don't have enough will power toquiton my own," said Jason Lintner, an 18-year-old who currently attends the local high school. He started when he was 13 because he saw everyone else doing it and thought that it was cool. "Back then it was the in thing todo." The feelings expressed by these students were shared by a number of teens from the high school. Three seniors at PPHS have compiled a survey about teen smoking. Completed by 35 students age 14to19 for their Family Studies class, it reveals some startling statistics. "Alot of teens relate toit (youth smoking). Itis a big issue for tee- nagers becauseit is something that we face everyday," said 18-year-old Sarah Pike, one of those who conducted the survev. Here are some of the results: 043 percent of the kids said that they currently smoke, 060 percent said parents are aware of their habit, and, Q17 per cent claim their parents don't disagree with their smoking. a The majority of teens surveyed said that they go through a pack of cigar- ettes withinone or two days. "I'wasn't really surprised with the results of the survey, because I see it (teen smoking) every single day," said 18-year-old Aimee Jolicoeur, the other member of the team that conducted the survey. The young women were, however, taken aback by the flippant nature of some of the responses they got from younger students: "Alot of the Grade 9 and 10 students didn't take the survey seriously. They were trying to be cool." said Aimee. "Iwas really surprised at the younger kids and how much peer pressure played a partin their answers, even though it was supposed to be anony- a Countdow (a nd Self helps aids SY as tapes, Foote or iters are also good, say the experts. ~~ The Lung Association of Durham offers a - ni of support programs to help you kick the "habit. The, group format allows people to discuss "their concerns and problems, while at the same time offering one another support and "encouragement. © "I think the support of the group is very important. They (quitters) look forward to having someone to talk to, and share their experiences with," said Sharon' Blandford, community service | coordinator with the association. advocacy. environments. range in age from teens to seniors, include: Get Ready To Quit (a ever we advertising bans, fiscal policy ne media | morelikely itis that they will remain smokers, suffer from a tobac- Various groups such as the Health Department : are working to limit young 'peoples' access to tobacco, and to increase smoke-free If you would like to protect youth health by keeping them smoke-free, call the Health Department at (905) 723-8521. If you have ques- tions on any of the Lung Association's programs, 'The Lung Assoc. Programs, whose participants contact the office at (905) 436-1046. -Mary Sanchez mous." agreed Sarah. The survey results also conclude that most students started smoking at a very young age. Some started even before high school. AC C ORDING TO Evelyn Butler, manager of the Tobacco Prevention Program at the Durham Region Health Department, smoking is a distinct adolescent health problem. Her department attempts to target young people, and relay to them the hazards of smoking in hopes of convincing them to quit or, better yet, never take up the habit. "Very rarely do people start smoking after the age of 18. The majority of adults that smoke started before 18," said Ms Butler. Reports from the Health Promotion Journal conclude that most adult smokers report taking up regular smoking between the ages of 13 and 15. Further, one in four teenagers have become regular smokers by the age of 15. According to evidence received by the Durham Regional Health Department, the younger people are when they begin to smoke, the co-related disease... and die prematurely. Smoking also has more immediate effects, said Ms Butler: "It affects physical fitness, reduces lung air flow, and increases heart rate and blood pressure, * "The concernis hat And what exactly gar smoking? According to Ms Futles "The big thing is control of tobacco advertising and not permitting smoking in public areas. We need to become aware of the addictiveness of nicotine." If you are a teen who wants to stop smoking, or know of one, you can call Quit For Life at 1-800-363-3537. sdon't start smoking." e done to stop young people from THE ORIGINAL 5 SUNG BT PIZZA & SUBS 80 Water Street, Port Perry "Free Dehvery 085-8448 I." Alf: Pages" ™ Soar pz | BIGFOOT GIANT or ; : FOR JUST ™ 28 piece pizza Find us fast in with 3 items the "Yellow of your choice. plus plus fax tax THE ORIGINAL MEDIUM PIZZA COMBO 12 pc. pizza with 1 item, 1/2 Ib. wings, 1 99 1/2 |b. Potato Wedges & 2 Coke® Additional toppings available Additional toppings available