It is my choice not to smoke because I want to keep my lungs healthy and out of harm. From what I understand, smoking can lead to all kinds of cancer and unwanted diseases. I try to educate others by making them aware that smoking is bad for ones' health and will lead to unecessary illnesses. Shelley Meyers -- age 18

I don't want to smoke because it's unhealthy for me. I don't want to risk my life by smoking and possibly get lung cancer or other diseases. If you smoke I want to tell you that you are shortening your life with every puff you take. --Travis, age 14

When I try to understand why young people smoke, I become very upset. I believe that there is no purpose in smoking and I strongly feel that smokers are only wasting their lives. I feel that people smoke because of stress, frustration, low self-esteem; I think all they need is some TLC. I joined this program to put a stop to tobacco and to educate other teens about it. Smoking is another way of committing suicide, you're killing yourself slowly. Shantell La'a -- age 17

I've watched my brother smoke and I've noticed the effects that smoking has on his body. I don't smoke because I believe I have better things to do with my time and money. I can't understand how people can stand around and smoke knowing that it is damaging their bodies... they are just wasting their lives! --Cherrel, age 16

I choose not to smoke because I want to live a long and healthy life. I understand that smoking can cause a variety of diseases, some are: lung cancer, emphysema, and other harmful cancers. I would like to warn other teens of the harmful effects that smoking can have on your body. Camille Laronal -- age 16

I think smoking is disgusting! It causes unecessary damage to a persons body and even has bad effects on people in the community. My advice is to not smoke because you create problems for you and me, and I don't like your secondhand smoke in my face. --Olana, age 15

I feel that tobacco is something that can slowly kill you and I don't think that most young smokers understand that. I don't smoke because I can't stand the smell of tobacco smoke and I also know what effects smoking can have on a person. Emalia Kaauwai -- age 14

I have never smoked and I will never smoke. I once met this guy that had a hole in his throat because he had cancer, caused by smoking. My advice to others would be to not smoke because you'll probably regret it later on in life. --Barbara-Marie, age 16

I think that tobacco is bad, it creates negative effects for both the smoker and those in the surrounding environment. My personal experiences have caused me to choose not to smoke, I've seen the effects that smoking has had on my mother and make it my duty to educate others about tobacco. Leialoha Kanehailua -- age 16

I don't want to smoke because of all the stories I hear about the effects that smoking has on the lungs. Personally, I hate the smell of cigarette smoke. For those who think smoking is cool... it's not! --Darren, age 16

I think there are both a good and a bad side to tobacco. For the good part, I know many people that rely on tobacco and they say it relieves their stress and keeps them from trying other drugs. For the bad part, it is bad for everyone's health and it decreases the human population everyday. Smoking is a personal choice that each person must make. It is not my job to degrade those that do smoke but it is my job to educate them about what hazardous health issues could occur. Leimomi Kanehailua -- age 17

I don't smoke because smoking gives you bad breath and makes your gums black. I would be ashamed to smile if my teeth were yellow and my gums were black. I want to live my life my way and not be limited by diseases or cancers that I could have prevented if I didn't smoke. Don't smoke, you could live longer if you didn't. --Lindsey, age 17

I choose not to smoke because I would rather do something good for myself and get good things back. I am happy with my healthy body and wouldn't take the chance of ruining it. Teens shouldn't smoke, they have the rest of their lives ahead of them... why cut it short? --Briana, age 15

My choice not to smoke comes from my belief that smoking is a stupid habit and it's not good for anyone's health. Smoking can cause many different kinds of cancer, heart disease, and emphysema. If I could give anyone some advice it would be that smoking isn't cool, no matter what you think! --Chris, age 16

I don't smoke because it is bad for me. I don't want to get lung disease or any kind of cancer. I understand that smoking will lead to premature death and that is not something I would want to look forward to. Don't smoke! --Jaelyn, age 16

I choose not to smoke because I have observed the effects that smoking has on people around me. I cannot stand the smell of the smoke, stains on the teeth, the effects it has on the lungs (making it black). From my knowledge smoking causes lung cancer, kidney problems, gum diseases, asthma, and other life threatening cancers. Don't smoke, smoke stinks up the air around us! --Rabecca, age 15

I choose not to smoke because it's bad for your body and it will damage your lungs. Also, I want to live a long and healthy life and I don't want to get wrinkles early in life. Smoking can give you diseases like lung cancer, but the main reason why I choose not to smoke is because it can kill you. If I could share my knowledge with another teen, I would explain to them that smoking is very harmful and it could kill you. --Jasmine Jeremiah, age 13

I choose not to smoke because it has a lot of nasty things like ammonia and acetone in it. It also gives you diseases like cancer and emphysema. I understand that smoking can cause all kinds of cancer, some are lung, bladder, and pancreatic cancers. My message to other teens is that it can give you all kinds of diseases and is loaded with nasty chemicals. --Nalani Amina, age 14

I choose not to smoke because of what it can do to me. I know that smoking causes lung disease, gum disease, cancer, and emphysema. My message is simple, smoking kills you.. don't do it. --Ashley La'a, age 15

I don't smoke because it smoking ruins body parts. It is my understanding that smoking causes gum disease and lung disease. My message to other teens is to not smoke because it can have bad effects on the body and will lead to other harmful things. --Gerray Amina, age 12