Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable deaths. The trend of smoking is catching like wildfire amongst the youth. It is a very effective ploy to gain attention of your peers. One major factor which encourages smoking in youngsters is group-conformity and peer pressure. They smoke ultimately to express the thought that they move into adulthood. Some may smoke to adhere to their social group and develop their social network. But in this youthfulness, they do not realise that it is hazardous and the long-term consequences of smoking are serious and dangerous.
This is an area of grave concern of many sections of the society. People are more concerned about the health of nations youth because they are the future of this country. In spite of all the health warnings, youngsters continue to get enthusiastic about tobacco. Even though they all know that it’s bad for them. It can be concluded that perfunctory knowledge of the health risks is not enough to convince youngsters to not smoke. Hence, the government needs to follow a more aggressive and thorough approach.
Cigarette smokers have a lower level of lung function than those persons who have never smoked. It reduces the rate of lung growth, hurts young people’s physical fitness in terms of both performance and endurance. Teenage smokers suffer from shortness of breath almost three times as often and produce phlegm more than twice as often as teenagers that do not smoke. Teenage smokers are more likely to have seen a doctor or other health professionals for an emotional or psychological complaint. Teenagers who smoke are three times more likely than non-smokers to use alcohol. Smoking is associated with a host of other risky behaviours such as being prone to violence and drugs.
It is seen that now a days the boys and girls of colleges and universities are fond of this habit that leads them towards destruction. There is a need to control this act as soon as possible to save our youngster from this destruction.
SADIA ZAHEER
Lahore
