Family members’ attitudes and behaviors about tobacco use influence whether teens smoke, vape, or chew tobacco. Teens are much less likely to use tobacco products if their families set clear expectations. Teens whose family members or cultures strongly oppose tobacco use are less likely to use tobacco products. Teens with friends who smoke, vape, or chew tobacco are also much more likely to use tobacco products themselves. Teens may experience peer pressure to use tobacco. They may worry others will not like or accept them if they choose not to (Figure 11.12). Real friends, however, do not want their friends to endanger their health. Another environmental factor is the community in which people live. Communities with violence, less education, and financial struggles often show higher rates of tobacco use. The availability of tobacco products within a community also affects whether teens and adults will use tobacco. The media is an important part of people’s environment. People often look to celebrities for ideas about fashionable clothing, new hairstyles, and lifestyle choices like tobacco use. Teens also imitate the behaviors of their peers on social media. Social media, however, only tells a small portion of a person’s story. It may not capture the serious health consequences of tobacco use immediately and in the future. Preventing Tobacco Use Did you know that most adults who smoke picked up the habit when they were teens? Avoiding a lifetime of tobacco use starts now, with the decisions you make today. Tobacco Product Use Among High School Students in 2018 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0% Any Tobacco Product 27.1% E-Cigarettes 20.8% Cigarettes 8.1% Cigars 7.6% Smokeless Tobacco 5.9% Hookah 4.1% Pipe Tobacco 1.1% Gentzke AS, Creamer M, Cullen KA, et al. Vital Signs: Tobacco Product Use Among Middle and High School Students — United States, 2011–2018. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2019 68:157–164. Figure 11.12 While cigarette use has declined among high school students, the use of e-cigarettes and other vaping devices has increased drastically. Sixty-six percent of teens believe the myth that their e-liquid is made of just flavoring. Why do you think so many high school students are willing to use vaping devices like e-cigarettes? Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 382 Unit 4 Avoiding Hazardous Substances