Tobacco use begins in early adolescence, usually by the age of 16. Very few people begin to use tobacco as adults. Almost all first time tobacco uses occur before the time of high school graduation.

The earlier adolescents begin using tobacco, the likelihood is much greater to use it as adults and the longer time they have to become every-day users.

Compared with non-smokers, kids who smoke are three times more likely to use alcohol. They are eight times more likely to smoke marijuana, and 22 times more likely to use cocaine.

There are five stages in the initiation and development of tobacco use among adolescents, which usually spans over three years:

• Forming attitudes and beliefs about tobacco
• Trying tobacco
• Experimenting with tobacco
• Regularly using tobacco
• Becoming addicted to tobacco

5 Truths About Teen Smoking

Truth #1: Anyone's teen can start smoking. Every day in the United States, more than 3,000 young people become regular smokers-that's more than one million new smokers a year. The pull to smoke is not just affecting someone else's kid. Your teen sees the glamorous advertising has peers who smoke and is as vulnerable to becoming a smoker as much as anybody else's teen. And yes, teens who play sports and are considered 'good kids' smoke too.

Truth #2: Nearly all first time smoking happens before high school graduation, according to the CDC. If your teen hasn't started smoking before he/she graduates, chances are he/she never will. That is good news. It means that you have the time to influence your teen and their choices

Truth #3: Actively working on your teen's self-esteem, self-confidence and resilience can prevent your teen from smoking. Often, teens cite 'being accepted' as a reason for starting to smoke, along with modeling someone they admire, to loose weight or to overcome stress.

Help your teen develop friendshis, shape a healthy body image, and deal with stress develop without having to turn to tobacco use.

Truth #4: Your teen needs to hear that smoking is bad for him/her from you. While your teen's friends may seem to be more important to your teen, you are his/her number one choice to learn about values. This is the time to make it count. Send a clear message to your teen that you consider smoking to be unhealthy. Be sure to do this with facts and try not to use scare tactics that will only backfire.

Truth #5: If your teen smokes, he/she can't quit just because you've asked. According to American Cancer Society 'the best school health classes won't have much effect on the students who already smoke, unless those teens are also offered professional help to quit.'

Teens do not realize they are addicted until it is too late. Among adolescents aged 10 - 18, about three-fourths of daily cigarette smokers report that they continue to use tobacco because it is really hard for them to quit.

Your teen needs to team up with you and a doctor in order to kick this nasty habit. It is worth your time and money to help your teen get through this problem.

Source: Denise Witmer, About.com