GARDNERVILLE, Nev. " Students from Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School, Carson Valley Middle School and Douglas High School volunteered to participate in an all day training sponsored by the Partnership of Community Resources and American Lung Association.
The youth spent the morning learning about tobacco's effect on the human lungs, body, and wallet.
They learned that almost 90 percent of adults who have ever been regular smokers began smoking by the time they were 18.
More than 6 million children under age 18 alive today will eventually die from smoking-related disease, unless current rates are reversed.
Each day about 3,500 kids (under 18) try smoking for the first time, and another 1,000 more kids become new regular, daily smokers.
Smokers lose an average of 13-14 years of life.
The chemical nicotine - found in cigarettes and other tobacco products - is an addictive drug, which is why it is so hard for people to quit using tobacco once they start.
Lung cancer, throat cancer, heart disease, stroke and emphysema are just some of the painful, life-threatening diseases linked with smoking.
Smoking also is associated with cancers of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, cervix, kidney, stomach, and bladder.
Smoking limits the amount of oxygen in the blood, reducing your stamina for sports and other physical activities.
Smoking turns your teeth and fingernails yellow, makes your hair, clothes, and breath smell gross, and causes premature wrinkling of your skin.
A pack a day smoker will spend approximately $1,642 per year.
Students Taking on Prevention are gearing up for their peer-to-peer education efforts in the Douglas County schools.
They will go into the fourth- and ninth-grade classes and share their knowledge with their peers.
If you are interested in scheduling a presentation, please contact prevention coordinators Linda Gilkerson or Amanda Johnson at the Partnership of Community Resources, 782-8611.
