Youth Tobacco Use Prevention

Nicotine is a highly addictive drug; and adolescents are particularly vulnerable to its effects during a crucial time of growth and development. Symptoms of serious nicotine addiction can appear within weeks or even days after occasional use begins, which can lead to years of nicotine use and dependence. Nicotine addiction does not only harm students physically but can also negatively affect their cognitive function. Nicotine changes adolescents’ brain activity in parts of the brain that are responsible for attention, memory and learning.¹  

To find out more about the harmful effects of tobacco products on young people visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Office on Smoking and Health. 

Youth use of tobacco products in any form is unsafe, regardless of whether it is smoked, smokeless, or electronic. Preventing tobacco initiation among youth and young adults is critical since approximately 54 percent of daily adult smokers in Kansas started smoking by age 18, and 94 percent started by age 25.5. 

Youth who use multiple tobacco products are at higher risk for developing nicotine dependence and might be more likely to continue using tobacco into adulthood.^{1, 2} Nicotine changes adolescents’ brain activity in parts of the brain that are responsible for attention, memory and learning.³

To learn more about youth tobacco use, prevention and quitting select the link(s) below and visit the Key Resources links.