When the original questions are subjected to critical thinking like we've just been through, there's overwhelming evidence that tobacco use causes severe addiction, serious disease and millions of premature deaths. There is also overwhelming evidence that the great majority of teenagers do not smoke.

In summary, we evaluate information critically, by asking two questions, 1) who is the source of the information, and 2) is there reliable evidence for the information? These questions are useful for evaluating any type of information, not just information on tobacco. When we follow these two steps, we're much more likely to make decisions based on true information rather than false information and this leads to better decisions and greater chances for success.

A method for making better decisions. Before deciding on something that's really important, list the choices that you have. Then, in separate columns, list the reasons for each choice. To select good reasons for each choice, use critical thinking. The column that ends up with the greatest number of good reasons, represents the best choice.

For example, should I or should I not use tobacco with my friends?

REASONS YES
1. I'll fit in better with my group of friends who smoke or chew tobacco and create a favorable image. (This may or may not be true, depending whether or not you have reliable evidence from a reliable source).

REASONS NO
1. Surveys show that most kids don't use tobacco, think it creates an unfavorable image and prefer to date Non-Smokers.

2. Second-hand smoke is hazardous and offends many people.
3. My clothes, hair and breath will stink.
3. Addiction to nicotine is very common. If I start using tobacco, there's a very strong chance that I won't be able to quit even though I want to.
5. It's expensive.
6. It causes more respiratory infections.
7. It causes coughing and increased mucous production
8. It causes slowed lung development, shortness of breath and decreased athletic ability
9. Yellow teeth and
10.Wrinkles at a younger age.
11.It causes mouth, throat and lung cancer,
12.Chronic bronchitis and emphysema,
13.Heart attack,
14.Stroke and
15.Early death.