With school back in session, now's a good time to talk tobacco

Teenage tobacco use has declined over the last decade, however, as local students are going back to school, the Panhandle Public Health District stresses the importance of parents talking to their kids about the risks of smoking.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 90 percent of smokers start the habit before age 18, the legal age for purchasing tobacco.

“Current adult smokers are more likely to report that they smoked their first cigarette before the age of 13,” said Tabi Prochazka, Tobacco Free in the Panhandle Coordinator with Panhandle Public Health District. “It’s not too early to talk to your child. Addiction can lead to a lifetime of serious health problems, The best way to protect your child is to prevent tobacco use.”

As of May 2015, there are about 11,100 high school students in Nebraska who smoke cigarettes, according to the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Approximately 1,800 students under the age of 18 become new daily smokers each year in the state.

Sidney Public School District Superintendent Jay Ehler said Sidney High School is a tobacco-free campus.

The Sidney High School student handbook states that the possession, selling, dispensing, use of tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes and smokeless tobacco products, is prohibited on school grounds, in school vehicles, at any school-sponsored activity or event, or off school grounds if theres is substantial interference with school purposes.

“We let students know that this means tobacco should not be used on campus and also within sight of campus,” Ehler said. “This is to prevent students from walking across the street and using tobacco.”

Repercussions for tobacco on campus at Sidney schools could result in an in-school or out-of-school suspensions.

“Every year there are instances of tobacco in the school to deal with, however our students overall do a very good job of following most rules,” Ehler added. “We appreciate our great kids and parents support.”

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services states that students who reporting living with a cigarette smoker or smokeless tobacco user were more likely to use tobacco themselves. Also, more than 84 percent of current student smokers reported at least one smoke among their closest friends.

Sidney Middle School Principal Brandon Ross said there have only been a few instances of tobacco use in the middle school in the last few years.

“Usage has been way down from when I started here,” Ross added.

Tobacco Free in the Panhandle is part of the Panhandle Prevention Coalition and is working to reduce the human burden of premature illness, death and disability caused by tobacco products. To accomplish this goal, they are working with communities in the Panhandle to raise awareness of of tobacco use and the benefits of a tobacco-free lifestyle.

Tobacco can lead to serious health problems including:

Long-term or chronic cough, shortness of breath and wheezing.

Increased risk for heart disease, lung and other cancers, stroke and emphysema.

Frequent headaches, cold or flu symptoms.

Gum diseases and tooth loss.

Possible hearing and vision loss.

Lack of stamina.