Bonnie Hamlett argues that teen smoking has increased and proposes several solutions to decrease the number of teen smokers. She suggests increasing education about the risks of smoking through motivational speakers in schools, after school programs to keep teens occupied, and getting parents more involved by informing them of the issue. Hamlett also proposes reducing media advertisements of smoking, banning smoking logos from clothing, and prohibiting smoking in movies and television. Overall, she believes education is the best approach through various school and after school programs that emphasize healthy choices over smoking.

1. Bonnie Hamlett’s essay
It has come to my understanding that the number of teen smokers has increased
over the years. It is happening all over town, after school, and in the park. In other words,
any where there’s no adult supervision. They do it to look cool and we need to teach them
that in a few years they won’t look so “cool.”
I think a way to decrease that number is to get the school system involved. Give
kids an education on the risks of smoking. Inspire them to make the right decisions. Have
motivational speakers come in. Let kids know what the dangers are to smoking. After
school programs are an idea too. A lot of teens smoking happens after school. A program
will give them something better and healthier to do. We also need to get parents involved.
Some parents don’t care what their kids are doing. Let’s sit them down and let them
know what going on. This can make a big difference in families everywhere.
Another solution is stopping media advertisements. Stop showing girls in
magazines with cute guys when smoking. Take away the message of “You’ll look like
me if you smoke.” Also get rid of apparel promoting cigarettes. A seventh grader sees a
high school boy wearing one of those shirts and all of a sudden they think it’s cool. Let’s
get shirts and hats to stop having smoking logos on them. I mean, can’t we look cool
without cigarettes on our clothes? Lastly ban smoking in movies and on TV. You always
see the good guy smoking and kids are always watching TV. This will get them to stop
smoking just to be like actors.
Education is a good choice because with motivational speakers a lot of times have
actually had personal experiences with smoking. They can let kids know of the risks
through their experiences. After school programs keep kids from smoking. One after
school class could even be on self image. Teaching kids they can be cool without
cigarettes. Or health classes, on kids’ health and how important it is. Again show them
what will happen if they smoke. Most importantly, get parent involvement. I mean, who
better to stop kids from smoking then their parents. Let them know how important this is
for their kids’ health. Education is probably the best thing to do because there’s so much
we can do.
The time to get started is now. What a difference it’ll make for kids and teens
everywhere. If we all work together we’ll meet our goal in no time.