teenage smoking

This is a story about Stephanie. When she was 16 she had her first cigarette, in the back of her friends car. Her friend lit up a cigarette for herself and then offered Stephanie one. Stephanie knew that smoking was bad for you, but everyone else she knew had tried it. She wanted to feel like she fit in. She smoked the cigarette and thought to herself, “Hey, this is pretty cool. I feel so relaxed. …

…I may be dreaming, but if you must know, I am Stephanie. And I know that as a smoker of seven years, I wish there had been laws years ago preventing me from starting. I know that if it was illegal, I never would have done it and became as addicted as I am today. A law in Ohio that prohibits teens from smoking could prevent teens from starting, and prevent their regrets years later.