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“I only smoke when I go out.”
“I only smoke a little.”
“Sometimes I go for days between cigarettes, so I’m not addicted.”
“I just bum cigarettes from friends now and then.”
Sound familiar? You may think your tobacco use is no big deal, but if you smoke—even just a little or occasionally—you are putting your health at risk and increasing the chances that you will become a lifelong smoker. Light, occasional, and social smoking has many similar health risks to heavier smoking patterns.
Here’s what you should know about smoking (even in small amounts):
- On average, every cigarette you smoke shortens your life by 11 minutes.
- In some teens, all it takes is 1 cigarette a month to show signs of addiction.
- Teens who smoke can develop smaller, weaker lungs that never grow to their full size or perform the best they can.
