For a sophomore boy at Granite Bay High School, his experience with cigarettes started out like a stereotypical ’tween drama.

“In seventh grade, I hung out with people who were smoking,” said the boy, who asked to remain anonymous. “I tried it and I didn’t like it, but I just kept smoking to look cool I guess.”

But his story soon grew into something much more real.

“Eventually I enjoyed it, so I started buying packs,” he said.

It’s been three years since his first cigarette. It’s been a few hours since his last.

According to the American Lung Association, “cigarette smoking has been identified as the most important source of preventable morbidity and premature mortality worldwide.”

But despite these statistics, teen smoking levels remain at about 20 percent, according to the Center for Disease Control.

The reason that so many students still smoke despite the health hazards comes down to one word: addiction.

“Every time you smoke a cigarette, your brain changes a little bit,” said Victor DeNoble, a former experimental drug researcher who came to GBHS on March 11 for a drug forum. “At some point, that change is going to be an addiction and that is going to stay with you your entire life.”

From 1980-84, DeNoble worked for tobacco company Phillip Morris. During that time, he made unprecedented discoveries about the addictive quality of nicotine.

“Sitting in class, I’ll be fine (until) I think about having a cigarette. Then it’s the only thing I can think about,” said the boy. “Then I’m craving it and I can’t concentrate on anything else – just about getting out of school and taking a hit.”

The boy is a victim of the exact dangers that DeNoble uncovered in his experiments, where he observed the effects nicotine had upon rats.

“The most profound information that I discovered (about cigarettes) is that it actually changes your brain,” said DeNoble, who tells his story to schools and students all over the nation.

“But the health effects are clearly the most dangerous part,” DeNoble said.

“Even if you quit, your health is changed for the rest of your life.”

These health risks include lung disease, heart disease and lung cancer.

According to the sophomore boy, the stereotype of teenagers believing they are invincible may not be too far off, and defiantly contributes to cigarette use.

“I know I could get cancer and stuff like that, but I feel like it’s not going to affect me,” said the boy. “I’m probably just young and dumb, but I don’t think twice when I hear (health warnings).”

The sophomore boy often receives criticism from his dad, who is also a smoker. The student said that his dad, who is trying to quit, uses himself as an example.

“He’s smoked since he was in fifth grade,” said the boy, “but nothing’s really (wrong) with my dad, which is why it doesn’t change my thoughts.”

Even though his father has not experienced any major health problems, his inability to quit smoking cigarettes is easily explained by DeNoble.

“It can take anywhere from two months to two years to become addicted, it just depends on the person,” said DeNoble.

The sophomore has suffered the damages of nicotine addiction.

“I see myself stopping when I get older. But, actually I don’t know,” he said. “I’m OK with it.”

Despite his acceptance of his habit, the boy’s indifferent attitude toward smoking does carry just a note of regret.

“If you don’t smoke, don’t start,” he said. “It’s not worth it. If I could go back and I got offers to smoke, I would have said no. I wouldn’t do it again.”