Most young teens or preteens see taking drugs, drinking alcohol, and using tobacco as something
mature or cool people do or they are peer pressured by friends or classmates. Though these actions
might make you feel cool or part of the group they can and will have a very negative affect on your
health and personal life and you will regret your decisions if you become addicted.
Living a life without these things can lead to:
Health benefits
___ Improve my ability to breathe without coughing or shortness of breath
___ Reduce my risk of lung cancer, heart disease, chronic lung disease
___ Have fewer wrinkles and softer skin
___ Improve my sense of taste and smell
___ For pregnant women—reduce the risk of having a miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, or lowbirth-weight baby
Personal benefits
___ Feel more in control of my life
___ Have better-smelling hair, breath, clothes, home, and car
___ Save time by not having to take smoke breaks, buy cigarettes, or hunt for a light
___ Have whiter teeth
Family benefits
___ Reduce my children’s respiratory tract infections
___ Set a good example for my children
___ Reduce my family’s cancer risk
Financial benefits
___ Save hundreds of dollars each year that would be spent on cigarettes
___ Save money on medical bills
___ Save on life, health, and car insurance premiums