Just saying “NO” is not enough. It’s what comes after the no that is important. Believing in your choices makes it easier to give a reason why you won’t be under the influence of tobacco. Knowing that you are in control will make it easier fore you to say no, even when your friends think it’s cool.

        Stay true to your beliefs and know that you are keeping your body healthy and for a good reason. Your friends don’t want to kill you but if they try to pressure you into smoking that’s exactly what they are doing. You can always say “no”, no one can make you do anything you don’t want to do. If your friends try to pressure you into smoking, they are not really your friends are they?

        Here are a few things that will help you stay strong against the endless peer pressures of tobacco. If your friends offer you a cigarette here are some great excuses.

1. No way…. I don’t want that kind of reputation.
2. My parents can smell smoke a mile away, if they smelled it on me i’d be dead.
3. I don’t want to kiss an ashtray.
4. Nah, I tried it once and it made me sick.
5. No way, it’s ILLEGAL for youth to smoke.

        You can always be in control of your own choices; no one can make your decision to smoke. That decision can kill you. You should be able to decide if you want to live a drug free and healthy life. Smoking cigarettes are deadly and addictive - tobacco targets youth specifically because they know it kills. Take time now to think about the reasons you don’t want to smoke. Be able to deny smoking in a truthful way.  You don’t have to lie to your friends, if you don’t want to smoke, simply say it.