October 23, 2015
To the Editor:
Smoking tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Unfortunately, I watched a loved one go through this. That was when I made the promise to make sure no one had to see someone they loved laying in a hospital bed because of the gruesome effects a lifetime of smoking caused the way I had. It touches each of us every day; whether you smoke, someone you know smokes, or someone you walk past on the street smokes.
Many begin smoking in their teenage years and in todays world, with all we know about smoking, it should be put to an end. Parents, this is a calling for you. One in four high school students smoke by the time they graduate, starting at such a young age is detrimental to a child's health.
Being a recent graduate of Cornwall Central High School, I have seen first hand how smoking can affect children throughout their teenage years. Many become addicted and are already set up for a life time of health issues. Smokings effects on one’s health is just the beginning. Its expensive, it has a negative impact on the individuals grades,and it makes one more likely to do drugs. It also puts those they surround themselves with at risk as well. If they continue throughout their lifetime, your child may not see to out live you.
Smoking regularly decreases ones life span by fourteen years. The best thing you can do as a parent is set a positive example for your children by not smoking and keeping your home smoke free. Let’s face the facts, no one is untouchable. Roughly one-third of all youth smokers will die prematurely from a smoking-caused disease, so save yourself the heart ache and don't let your child be one.
Stand up to smoking, and begin to breathe easy again.
Erin Leahy
Cornwall Central High School Graduate 2015
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