In spite of what advertisements and the media would like you to believe, only about 10% of high school students smoke. If you are among the 90% that doesn't, there is no reason to start; if you are among the 28% who do, there are ways to quit. Many teens start smoking because they have friends, older siblings or other family members who smoke. Some teens look at smoking as a way to feel older or sophisticated. Some teens - especially girls - think smoking is a way to keep their weight under control. Others believe that a cigarette helps them relax when they're stressed out because of schoolwork, dating problems, or family pressures.

Teens often start smoking because one or both parents smoke, or because another close relative is a smoker. They get the message that smoking is an acceptable habit. Others may smoke because it isn't acceptable in their families. These teens may think that smoking shows that they are old enough to make their own decisions. "No matter what age people start smoking - and nearly 90% of adult smokers start while they are still teens - they never intend to get hooked," said Dr. Charles Machen, East Tennessee Children's Hospital Adolescent Medicine Specialist. "Soon they realize that they can't go without that pack. They have become addicted both physically and psychologically."

There are many reasons to stop smoking and many reasons not to start. East Tennessee Children's Hospital offers the following benefits of not smoking.

"Staying or becoming smoke-free is the best solution for a person's health and promotes living longer," said Dr. Machen. "Quitting is tough but not impossible. Seek support from family and friends and focus on the benefits of not smoking."

Teens should not get discouraged about trying to quit or staying smoke-free. When it gets tough, try to remember that being a non-smoker will give you a whole lot more - more energy, more money in your pocket, and in the long run, more life to live while being healthy.

For more information about quitting, contact your local American Cancer Society at 800-ACS-2345, visit their website www.cancer.org, or call the Children's Hospital Community Relations Department at (865) 541-8165.

East Tennessee Children's Hospital is a private, independent, not-for-profit pediatric medical center which has served the East Tennessee region for over 65 years and is certified by the state of Tennessee as a Comprehensive Regional Pediatric Center.

Editor's Note:   Children's Hospital's Healthy Kids program is a community education initiative of the Community Relations Department. The program serves as an education resource for parents by offering classes, literature and other opportunities for learning how to improve the health and well being of children. For more information or to sign up for classes, call the Healthy Kids Hotline at (865) 541-8262.