Dispelling the Myths About Tobacco

Myth #1: It won't happen to me.

"It's not how I visualize myself dying."
"I can't get lung cancer. I'm only 24."

·Why do some young women start to smoke even though they know that smoking can damage their health?
·Why do you think people like Pam Laffin keep smoking even after smoking has begun to destroy their health?

Myth #2:
It's not like I'm hurting anyone but myself.

"Smoking is a civil right worth fighting for."
"Secondhand smoke causes at least 35,000 deaths a year in nonsmokers."
·Should all Americans have the right to smoke wherever they wish, or should the public be protected from cigarette smoke?
·Do you know anyone who has been harmed by secondhand smoke?

Myth #3:
I'm not hooked.

"It's not that hard to stop."
"I won't be smoking 5 years from now."

·Do you agree that most young smokers start out thinking they can quit whenever they want to? Why?
·Do you know any smokers who thought that they could stop but couldn't? Why?

Myth #4:
Sure I smoke, but at least I don't do drugs, have unsafe sex, or get drunk.

"Cigarettes cause more deaths than AIDS, illegal drugs, car crashes, homicides, and suicides combined."
·Why do you think many people believe that cigarette smoking is safer than other risky types of behavior?

Myth #5:
It's better to smoke; if I quit, I'll get fat.

"What's a few pounds compared with bad breath, smelly clothes, yellow teeth and nails, brittle skin, wasted money, and bad health?"
·Do you think quitting smoking is worthwhile even if it means gaining a few pounds? Why?
·Can you think of examples of how cigarette companies have promoted cigarette smoking as a glamorous symbol of freedom and independence and thinness for women? Do you think this strategy has been effective? Why?

Myth #6:
I smoke light cigarettes, so I won't get hurt as much.

"Light cigarettes are safer."
"I switched to light cigarettes, but I just smoked more because there was less nicotine."
·Why do you think tobacco companies developed light cigarettes? Why do people buy them?
·Do you think light cigarettes help people cut down on the amount of nicotine they're getting? Do you think that they are safer? Why?

Myth #7:
I've tried to quit, but I can't.

"When you quit smoking, you take control, not the cigarette."
"It's your body and your life. Don't give up giving up."
·Why do you think many people are reluctant to try to quit smoking even though they want to stop?
·Many people who quit say that it's both the best and the hardest thing they've ever done. Do you think that quitting is worth the pain? Why?

taken from: http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/sgr_forwomen/sgrtoolkit1.htm
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