The Causes and Effects of Smoking
The Causes and Effects of Smoking
One of the most common problems today that are killing people, all over the world, is smoking. Many people start this horrible habit because of stress, personal issues and peer pressure. Some begin from simply being curious. One cigarette can result in smoking others, which can lead to major addiction. When someone smokes a cigarette they are not only hurting themselves, but others around them. Smoking does many horrible things to the human body that most people are not aware of. Almost everyone knows that smoking causes cancer, emphysema, and heart disease; that it can shorten your life by 10 years or more; and that the habit can cost a smoker thousands of dollars a year. So, why people are still smoking? The answer is obviously, addiction. Smoking is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. There are several effects and causes of smoking; the causes of smoking are influence by peers and stress whereas the effects are wide range of diseases and in pregnant women which may result in serious health risks for both the woman and the foetus.
First of all, teenagers smoke because they want to fit in with a particular group at school. Friends can be very convincing at influencing other friends to smoke. This may be particularly true when a girlfriend or boyfriend smokes, and the teen may feel threatened by losing the relationship if he or she does not take up smoking. Teens see their friends smoke and they think it makes them look cool or independent. Smith-Simone (2008) researched on smoking in perspective of social relationships and found that the effects of smoking are drastic and related with specific problems especially among young smokers. Students are more concerned with the opinions and influence of their peers than their parents and they are willing to fight against the words of parents for companions. For them, their peers are always correct. Between the age group of 14 to 18 years
One of the most common problems today that are killing people, all over the world, is smoking. Many people start this horrible habit because of stress, personal issues and peer pressure. Some begin from simply being curious. One cigarette can result in smoking others, which can lead to major addiction. When someone smokes a cigarette they are not only hurting themselves, but others around them. Smoking does many horrible things to the human body that most people are not aware of. Almost everyone knows that smoking causes cancer, emphysema, and heart disease; that it can shorten your life by 10 years or more; and that the habit can cost a smoker thousands of dollars a year. So, why people are still smoking? The answer is obviously, addiction. Smoking is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. There are several effects and causes of smoking; the causes of smoking are influence by peers and stress whereas the effects are wide range of diseases and in pregnant women which may result in serious health risks for both the woman and the foetus.
First of all, teenagers smoke because they want to fit in with a particular group at school. Friends can be very convincing at influencing other friends to smoke. This may be particularly true when a girlfriend or boyfriend smokes, and the teen may feel threatened by losing the relationship if he or she does not take up smoking. Teens see their friends smoke and they think it makes them look cool or independent. Smith-Simone (2008) researched on smoking in perspective of social relationships and found that the effects of smoking are drastic and related with specific problems especially among young smokers. Students are more concerned with the opinions and influence of their peers than their parents and they are willing to fight against the words of parents for companions. For them, their peers are always correct. Between the age group of 14 to 18 years
References: Canada, H. (2011). Smoking and your body. Retrieved from http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hc-ps/tobac-tabac/body-corps/index-eng.php Macnair, D. (2011). Smoking - health risks. Retrieved from http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/health_advice/facts/smokehealth.htm NIH: National Cancer Institute. (n.d.). Smoking. Retrieved from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/smoking.html Shaw, J. (2010). What are the causes of smoking among teens? Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/96478-causes-smoking-among-teens/ World Health Organization. (n.d.). Health effects of smoking among young people. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/tobacco/research/youth/health_effects/en/