The High Rate of Teen Smoking
First Nations teens smoke at a rate two to three times higher than other teens in BC. Many start smoking cigarettes before they start high school. A group of teens got together to do something about it.
Teens’ Reasons Not to Smoke
Teens say there are lots of reasons to not pick up that first cigarette:
- “Bad breath!” – You don’t want your friends to smell your breath from a mile away. Your clothes will also get smelly (rainy days make this even worse) and perfumes can’t even mask the smoky smell.
- “It’s not sexy!” – Kissing someone who has just smoked a cigarette is kinda gross … And your friends probably won’t appreciate your second-hand smoke.
- “It’s gonna slow you down!” – Smoking affects your lungs and your ability to breathe while exercising – so running the length of the field or dribbling down the court is harder. It’s not fun to be on the losing end of the game.
Classroom Package
“We made these videos because someone had to stand up to big tobacco and fight for our health!”
- Zombies (youth video)
- Split Screen (youth video)
- Questions for Classroom Discussion (fact sheet)
- How to Make Your Video (guide)
Resources
- Respecting Tobacco – FNHA wellness stream webpage
- Break It Off – a campaign that helps young adults quit smoking and stay smoke-free
- Indigenous Tobacco Program – Cancer Care Ontario program that works with First Nations, Inuit, Métis and urban Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners to reduce and prevent commercial tobacco addiction.