A new study from Harvard University shows that smoking only a few cigarettes a day decreases lung growth among young people. "It was surprising that we could determine an effect of smoking on lung growth so early in the process," says Dr. Diane Gold. "Some would say that it takes many years to see an effect." While nonsmokers' lungs continue to grow between the ages of 10 and 18, lung capacity falls for 10- to 18-year-olds who smoke as few as five cigarettes a day. Reduced lung capacity means that lungs hold less air. That means less air for running, football, gymnastics, tennis, baseball -- for the rest of your life.

("Smoking stunts youths' lungs," USA Today, 9/26/96.)