Tobacco is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. It is glamorized in the movie and recording industries, but isn't so glamorous in real life. Before you light up, get the real facts about tobacco. Here's what tobacco can do to you:

• Tobacco damages your health. Smoking is the most common cause of lung cancer. Smoking is also a leading cause of cancer of the mouth, throat, bladder, pancreas and kidney. Smokeless tobacco can cause mouth cancer, tooth loss and other health problems.
• Tobacco affects you body's development. Smoking is particularly harmful for teens because your body is still growing and changing. The 200 known poisons in cigarettes (including arsenic--aka rat poison--as well as embalming fluid!) affect your normal development and can cause life-threatening diseases, such as chronic bronchitis, heart disease, and stroke.
• Tobacco is addictive. Cigarettes contain nicotine--a powerfully addictive substance. Three-quarters of young people who use tobacco daily continue to do so because they find it nearly impossible to quit.
• Tobacco can kill you. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in this country. More than 400,000 Americans die from tobacco-related causes each year, and most of them began using tobacco before the age of 18.

Before you take the risk, here are a few more things to think about.

• Know the law. It is illegal for anyone under 18 to buy cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, or tobacco-related products. In Vermont, underage smokers can be fined and, after multiple offenses, can have their driver's license taken away.
• Stay informed. Addiction to tobacco is hard to control. More than 90 percent of teens who use tobacco daily experience at least one symptom of withdrawal when they try to quit.
• Keep your edge and your smile. The poisons in cigarettes can affect your appearances. Smoking can dry out your skin and cause wrinkles. Some research even links smoking to premature gray hair and hair loss.
• Be aware. It can be hard to play sports if you use tobacco. Smoking causes shortness of breath and dizziness, and chewing tobacco causes dehydration.
• Think of others. Smoking puts the health of your friends and family at risk. Approximately 3,000 nonsmokers die of lung cancer each year from breathing other people's smoke.
• Get the facts. Each day more than 3,000 people under age 18 become regular smokers. That's more than 1 million teenagers per year. Roughly one-third of them will eventually die from a tobacco-related disease.
• Look around you. Even though a lot of teens use tobacco, most don't. According to a 1998 study, less than 20 percent of teens are regular smokers. In fact, 64 percent of 12- to 17-year-olds have never even tried a cigarette.