Final answer:
Despite clear warnings and education on the dangers of tobacco, school-age children and adolescents still engage in smoking and chewing tobacco due to the addictive nature of nicotine, targeted marketing of flavored e-cigarettes, and peer influence, as well as a general underestimation of the risks involved.
Step-by-step explanation:
The appeal of flavored e-cigarettes, and ineffective health education:
School-age children and adolescents continue to smoke or chew tobacco despite warnings due to the addictive nature of nicotine. Educational programs often have minimal impact on persuading existing smokers to quit because nicotine is more addictive than many other substances.
Surgeon General warning about the health risks of tobacco, adolescents may still underestimate the severity of these dangers. Peer pressure, a desire for social acceptance, or a lack of regulation on emerging products like e-cigarettes contribute to the persistence of tobacco use among the young. However, the health risks are significant, including increased chances of lung cancer, heart disease, and other respiratory illnesses. States have begun passing laws to counteract this trend, and public health officials continue to push for regulation and effective prevention strategies.