Health Tip: When Athletes Smoke

Among the many reasons for kids to stay away from tobacco: it can significantly affect performance if you're an athlete.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains how:

• Tobacco can cause extra strain on your heart from narrowed blood vessels caused by nicotine.
• Tobacco can damage lungs, decreasing oxygen that muscles need to function well.
• Tobacco can increase shortness of breath.
• Tobacco can slow running speed and hinder your ability to run longer distances.