Kids talk back

We asked seventh-graders at TeWinkle Middle School what they thought

about cigarette smoking.

Here’s what they had to say:

“I think people shouldn’t do it because it is bad for you. You can get

lung disease and cancer. I know one or two people who smoke and if we are

out and they light up a cigarette, I tell them to go in a different

place.”

RAEANNE PFEIFER, 12

Costa Mesa

“I think it is bad for your life because it will make you die soon. And

it is bad for dating because it will make your breath smell, as well as

your clothes. It will also stain your teeth. I only know of one kid who

smokes. We used to be friends but we aren’t anymore.”

SHANE THOMPSON, 12

Costa Mesa

“I think it’s bad because you can die and it turns your teeth yellow.

Smoking education here at school helped because we saw pictures of people

who smoke and their teeth are yellow. Your voice also gets cracky. I

don’t know of any kids who smoke.”

ELISE CARROLL, 12

Costa Mesa

“I think if you smoke, you are abusing your body. I would tell someone

who offered me a cigarette no thanks, because I wouldn’t want to get

addicted.”

MAURICIO AGUILERA, 13

Costa Mesa

“I think it’s really bad because in DARE, they showed us pictures of

people’s lungs, and the smoker had nasty black lungs and the nonsmoker

had clean lungs. It’s better not to start smoking because once you start,

it’s really hard to stop.”

FRANCISCO PEREZ, 12

Costa Mesa

“Both of my parents used to smoke. My dad promised me that he would quit

for my 10th birthday, but he couldn’t. It was hard for him. He would walk

around really edgy and tired. My mom quit smoking when she was pregnant

with my sister. One of my older sisters used to smoke. She is 15. But she

got in trouble. I know cigarettes are really bad for your health, but I

think people who smoke just don’t care anymore. For them, it’s part of

their everyday life. They just don’t pay attention anymore. My dad has

had a heart attack and my sister has asthma. From everything that has

happened, whenever anybody takes out a cigarette, I just walk away.”

STACIE ESTRELLA, 12

Costa Mesa