Dick I think cigarette smoking is highly addictive and very expensive. Especially when you’re 14 and get a $9 weekly allowance. I’m in ninth grade and started smoking in sixth, the first cigarette I ever had was in fifth grade. My morn was walking our dogs and found an unopened pack that she brought home to use as an insecticide in the garden. A friend had told her that tobacco stops ants from attacking plants. Of course, when I found the pack, I took the cigarettes to my bedroom and, being the little rebel I was, lit one with matches I stole from Dad. The fact I was actually smoking made me think I was cool. But my friend Donna didn’t think so. She just looked at me like I was the stupidest thing on earth. Which I probably ,as, I still smoke to this day. Benny I know it’s bad to smoke, and I’ve tried to quit, but it’s very hard since most my friends smoke too. When I started smoking regularly at the beginning fifth grade, not that many students smoked; by the and of the year, a lot were smoking. It was pretty bad. Some kids’ grades went down, including mine, from skipping classes to get nicotine into their systems. Now, in ninth grade, I’m still smoking. Andrew My parents don’t allow me to smoke, and often ask, "where do you buy cigarettes" I buy them anywhere. Hardly anyone ever asks me for ID. Maybe a look 18; maybe I just put another $2.50 in the cash register. The Safeway down the street won’t sell me cigarettes. Last time I went there, I stole four packs, got caught, and had to write an essay on why stealing is wrong. About five months after I started cigarettes. There’s no doubt in my mind that cigarettes are a drug. Almost everyone I know started smoking before doing drugs. That has to tell you something. Bill Since I’ve smoked, I can hardly run around the block without getting out of breath. My mom quit smoking 18 years ago, and my dad stopped smoking 14 years ago. My mom now has cancer, and my dad has had three heart attacks. My grandma quit nine years ago, and she has emphysema. Not only that--my two grandfathers died from the results of smoking. After all this, you’d think I’d know better than to continue. Frank I can’t tell that I smell of tobacco, but my parents and others can, I remember one time before I smoked, I left my jacket at a friend’s house. Both her parents smoked. When I got the jacket back, I had to throw it away because it smelled like an ash-tray. So I felt sorry for those who don’ t smoke and have to put up with my odor all day. When I smoke in my room at home, I hang out the window I have told my parents that I will try to stop smoking as a present to them. But I hate the thought of never having another cigarette. You see--no ifs, ands or buts--I’ m really hooked. Now match each of the teenagers (16 to 20) to the appropriate statement. Note: there are two extra statements. A. Smoking is a dangerous thing. B. Smoking is harmful to health. C. Smoking is cool. D. I began to smoke by accident. E. I began to smoke out of curiosity. F. Smoking had a bad effect on me. G. I am a heavy smoker now. Benny