BY RYAN MATT

High school is often looked at as a time of self-discovery for teenagers. These four years of our lives come with a number of different pressures that develop from schoolwork, activities, sports, friends or family. There’s a good chance that students will, at some point, find themselves being offered a cigarette or marijuana. From the younger kids at the Hommocks to the Seniors at MHS, more and more students are making the decision to try smoking. Why has this habit, so often condemned in the media, become so popular among teens across America? Is there a reason why we turn to cigarettes or marijuana to have fun or feel accepted?

There are many reasons why teens begin to smoke. Because it is presented as almost a forbidden fruit, it has an allure of rebellion against authority. The prospect of disobeying whoever may be in charge can be an addiction for some. For others, it is difficult to resist the thrill of doing something illegal and dangerous.

Some turn to smoking only to attract the attention they do not receive elsewhere. Lastly, the pressure that we feel to excel can drag some of us into trying something sold as a release from the daily rigors of school and life. The attention it draws is sometimes positive and at other times negative, but for some, it doesn’t matter as long as they’re being looked at.

The risks taken by smokers are commonly overlooked. The beginnings of addiction can appear after only one puff. The fun and pleasure of smoking is often said to hide the dangers of the habit.

Not only does smoking take a physical toll, but also a mental one. Some physical problems that can affect smokers include wrinkles, yellow teeth and strange skin pigmentation. Even more importantly, life expectancy can be shortened as various cancers and heart disease are more likely to ail those of us who smoke. In addition to the health risks, smoking can lead to isolation and loneliness.

My question is, why do teenagers begin something so harmful so young? Does it really make sense to push against authority in a manner that only harms yourself? The peer pressure and other stresses people feel in school or at home will pass, and can be addressed in different, healthier ways. The pleasure of smoking is temporary, but the damage it inflicts on you and others is permanent. You can say “no”; and saying that one word may save your life. Try it!