According to a survey done by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the top five reasons young people give for using alcohol, tobacco and drugs are:

To feel grown-up

To fit in and belong

To relax and feel good

To take risks and rebel

To satisfy their curiosity

Of the 4,000 other chemicals found in cigarettes, 43 are proven carcinogens and form part of the sticky, brown residue known as tar. A pack-a-day smoker pours one quart of tar into his lungs each year. Carbon monoxide (a deadly chemical), acetone (the ingredient in finger nail polish remover), formaldehyde (used to preserve dead animals) and nicotine (a poison) are just some of the other chemicals present in cigarettes.

What are some of the health consequences of using smoke and smokeless tobacco?

Bad breath

Tooth and gum disease

High blood pressure

Heart disease

Taste and smell reduction

Discolored teeth

Lung capacity is decreased

Blood vessels constrict

For a teen athlete, using tobacco means there will be decreased oxygen delivered to working muscles, the lungs must work harder to get oxygen to the system, and they will get tired faster during a performance or event. Smoking also causes the release of epinephrine, causing blood vessels to constrict, blood pressure to rise and the heart rate to increase, all of which will also impair the performance of an athlete.

How effective are your words?

Explain how advertisers manipulate teens into buying their products through endorsements, sex appeal, and sophistication appeal. They create the impression that smoking will somehow make their life better and more enjoyable.

Talk with your child about the dangers of tobacco use. Although a few were listed, there are many other products in tobacco that can be harmful.

Learn to really listen to your child. Encourage your children to feel comfortable telling you problems, and then trying to figure out together how to fix them.

Be a good role model by not using the products yourself.

Make family rules. These rules should be enforced with consequences.

(a) Take the blame. If your child is running into peer pressure, be the bad guy. This is a great way for your child to get out of a problem: "Well, I would smoke, but my mom would ground me is she found out."

(b) Know what to do if you suspect a problem. Learn to recognize the signs of tobacco usage.

This issue of Ups & Downs was contributed by Ann Fenton and Ladonna Schultz, Extension Educators, Pierce and Holt Counties, University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension. Ups & Downs is edited by Stephen T. Russell, Ph.D., Assistant Youth Development Cooperative Extension Specialist, University of California, Davis.