I recently read a statistic that was the biggest reality check I have received in a long time. The statistic read "90% of smokers begin smoking before they are 21 years old." When one gives this statistic some thought that would mean that almost everyone that has gotten lung cancer due to smoking was because they were teens just trying to fit in. Teen smoking has been around for years and years and the reasons have remained the same as to why they start. Teens start smoking for group acceptance, to rebel against their parents, adult aspirations and to protect or create an image.
             When one is a teen it becomes less of what you want to do and more of what your peers are doing. We want to be accepted in high school and by doing that what the "in" crowd is doing we feel a sort of acceptance from them. If their friends are smoking teens in there minds won't think "do I like smoking?" rather it will be "when will I start smoking?" The teenage mind is a reactive mind, which unlike an adult mind that is a thinking mind. Teens instead of using reasoning will use the mind that just reacts to what there peers are doing. As long as the "in" crowd is smoking, drinking or skipping school then that is what they will do. Independence is a rare quality that teens acquire, its once they have graduated and the cliques are no longer around that they begin to find out who they really are.
             Creating an image for oneself in high school is based more on what is on TV and magazines that ones own personality. Advertising tends to emphasize smoking to teens because cigarette ads promote sexiness, attraction, independence and fun. To a teen that is looking to find them these ads are the answer. It allows them to be who they want to be just by smoking, teaching them that lighting up a cigarette will guarantee a good time, good looks and a mature outlook on life. In a
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