YOUTH
One of the biggest health problems faced by First Nations and Inuit youth is tobacco abuse. Of all ethnicities and age groups in Canada, Aboriginal people have the highest rates of smoking. There are many more young Aboriginal smokers than there are in the mainstream population, and they start younger as well.
Research shows that 85 per cent of smokers start before the age of 16, and there are statistics showing that among Aboriginal youth, smoking often starts even earlier. In certain communities, addiction can be well established by the age of 13 or 14, with some children as young as 5 beginning to use chewing tobacco.
This is an alarming trend because the earlier youth become addicted, the greater their chances of developing a tobacco-related disease. For example, those who began smoking at 15 double their chances of dying prematurely.
As most people start smoking in their teens or younger, preventing tobacco abuse by youth is crucial. The cigarette companies know this. Since few people begin to smoke after the age of 20, the future of the tobacco industry depends on its ability to recruit adolescent smokers.
There are several social, environmental and personal factors that increase the chances that a young person will use tobacco.

SOCIAL FACTORS
Being part of a low-income family. Lower-income youth often must deal with stressful situations, such as limited economic resources or a single-parent home. Smoking is often seen as an easy way to cope.
Low level of parental education, which can increase an adolescent’s chance of experimenting with and using tobacco.
The challenges and difficulties of puberty. Smoking can be seen as a way to ease the transition into an adult role.

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Parents and friends who smoke or use smokeless tobacco.
Peer pressure.
Having little connection with family, friends, or institutions.
Perceptions that smoking is normal, and support or approval of smoking by friends and parents.

PERSONAL FACTORS
Being a poor student.
Not being very involved in healthy activities.
Showing risk-taking or rebellious behavior.
Having a low self-esteem and self-image.

WHAT CAN BE DONE?

The legal age for smoking in Canada is 19, but we know that it is not difficult for minors to obtain cigarettes either from friends or family members, or vendors who disregard the law. Experimentation with tobacco products is very dangerous, because kids can become ‘hooked’ before being able to make an informed decision about smoking. One way to fight against youth smoking is through legislation. We can do our best to stop sales of, and access to, tobacco products to minors. We are putting an end to all forms of advertising for tobacco products. We must ban smoking in schools, workplaces, restaurants and recreational areas. An environment that enforces non-smoking as the norm is key to a new generation of non-smokers.
Taxation is another good way to discourage the purchase of tobacco products by youth. Many teenagers give cost as a reason for quitting.
Education is also a key to prevention and cessation. Youth need to know that tobacco is an addictive drug that causes disease and premature death when used exactly as directed. Youth also need to learn about how to refuse tobacco products and how to cope with some of the stresses that may lead them to smoke. The Canadian Pediatric Society’s (1999) report on tobacco use among Aboriginal youth noted that school-based programs starting in kindergarten and extending through high school can be effective in preventing tobacco use by children and adolescents.
Quitting support should also be offered to youth. Support programs and resources that are geared specifically to their age group are crucial. Many adolescent smokers would like to quit, but find that they are unable to do so on their own. Role models who smoke present the image that smoking is mature, desirable and socially acceptable. These role models include parents, grandparents, older brothers and sisters, teachers, movie stars, music celebrities, sports heroes and the healthy, attractive actor in cigarette advertisements. More anti-smoking role models are needed.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Make your home a tobacco-free space.
Be a positive role model: consistently present non-smoking as the norm. Never send children to buy tobacco. Patronize tobacco-free businesses. Discuss addiction and the realities of tobacco use with the young people in your life. Support legal efforts to reduce tobacco use in Canada.
It is estimated that over half (55 per cent of men and 51 per cent of women) of 15-year-old smokers will die from tobacco-related diseases. This is almost nine times the total number of deaths estimated for this group from other drug abuse, car accidents, suicide, murder, and AIDS combined.