Every single day, 3,000 teenagers light up and smoke their first cigarette. For many, that one choice gets them hooked to a deadly habit. A habit that ultimately robs them of their life.

Few know the dangers of smoking, and the ones who do think they are immune to it. Nicotine addiction robs smokers of their money, their free time, their lungs, their skin, and even their teeth. Those are the lucky ones who do not die from tobacco-related causes.

Smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths according to Live Science.com.

March 15, 2017, is National Kick Butts Day — not to be confused with Kick Butt Day in October, which is a day to achieve your goals. National Kick Butts Day empowers youth to kick away cigarettes, and stand strong.

In the Disney film “Saving Mr. Banks,” a commercial at the beginning provides a hotline for help. Walt Disney smoked, and he died of lung cancer. Overcoming addiction is tough, but having somebody to help is an important thing. Worldwide, signs and commercials tell teens and adults not to smoke.

The United States has celebrated Kick Butts Day since 1996. In some states, there are big celebrations around schools and community, but not that many people know about it. West Virginia, Wisconsin and New Mexico are a few of the states that have big celebrations.

For those who quit, it is never easy, but the younger the smoker, the easier it is to quit. For some, the first thing they get back is sense of smell. Because of the strong smoke smell, your sense of smell can be hindered. Others can begin to distinguish different brands of cigarettes because of their smell. Fingers start to return to flesh color, rather than yellow. Lungs begin to heal.

Not everybody quits the same way. Gum, patches, medicine, and hypnosis helps in the struggle to kick the habit.

Some of the most effective stop smoking aids are smokers themselves. Those longtime smokers are encouraging quitting and spreading their message to teens: stop now! If you never start, you never have to quit.