Did you know that almost 20 percent of Canadian teens (aged 12 – 19) currently smoke (daily or occasionally)? In Canada, the smoking rates are generally higher among males than females. On average, males smoke more cigarettes a day than females. Youth smokers make more attempts to quit smoking than adult smokers.

(adapted from the Canadian Lung Association)

In this activity, you will investigate some of the reasons that teens start smoking. 

People start smoking for a variety of reasons.

Peer pressure is one of the main reasons that teens smoke. Even if a teen's peers do not encourage an individual to begin smoking, a teen will often do so to feel like part of the group if several members smoke.

Some people view smoking as a way to rebel, annoy, bother, or infuriate their parents. Teens may also start smoking to prove their independence from their parents. Their parents may say not to smoke, so by smoking, teens are trying to say that they are old enough to make their own decisions.