Smoking is considered as a worldwide health issue. Apart from the usual notion that only the adults smoke cigarettes, the youth is also involved in this issue. Both the adults and the young ones smoke nowadays. Because of this, their health issues become a recurring problem that needs to be resolved.
Current Issues of Smoking in Kuwait
Based from the findings, the smoking habits in Kuwait are associated with different reasons. The first is for the purpose of relaxation and concentration. Memon et al. stated that Kuwaitis are usually busy because of work and school. During their free time, most of these people intend to smoke. According to the 64 percent of the smokers, smoking reduces stress and anxiety, and it helps them refresh their minds (1308). At the same time, and when possible, these people also smoke during their working hours. As smoking refreshed their minds during free time, smoking makes them concentrate as well, according to the 40 percent of the smokers (Memon et al. 1308). The other reason is because smoking was learned from their parents, even as early as during the childhood days. Adults smoke in their homes as well. The problem is that their children see them smoke most of the time. The children, as a response, imitate the habits when they have the opportunity. The habit was passed down unintentionally, and at a younger age (Memon et al., 1308).
Health Issues of Smoking
Smoking may not be a serious complication at first. However, when the cigarette components accumulate inside the body, it brings about serious health diseases, particularly in the heart and lungs. To be specific, smoking is responsible in developing the fatal diseases such as coronary heart disease, stroke, and severe lung diseases such as lung cancer (“Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking”). Moreover, these complications brought about millions of deaths worldwide every year.
Aside from the health risks, smoking also bring about social consequences. First of all, public smoking is unacceptable in many countries, including Kuwait. In Kuwait, smoke ban is currently imposed for more than 20 years from now (Al-Fuzai). This only means that smoking brings about a negative image to anyone. Since public smoking is prohibited, it is considered as a crime. Therefore, anyone will be labeled negatively in the society. However, despite this possible consequence, people continue to smoke. Hence, the law is not that effective enough. As such, there is the need for public awareness, especially the negative impacts of smoking.
Problem
Smoking in Kuwait becomes very prominent in these days. Adults became accustomed to this health-deteriorating habit.
Action
Smoke-free information campaign will be provided, in cooperation with government and non-government organizations.
Stakeholders
The whole local community will benefit from this campaign, since non-smokers are also subjected to second-hand smoke.
Decision Makers
The actions that will be implemented will be decided upon by this organization, while seeking advice with the medical and social experts from the government and non-government organizations.
Supporters
The organization hopes that the whole community supports this campaign, for the purpose of reducing the number of habitual and potential smokers in the community.
Allies
The organization cooperates with the government, particularly the health department, as well as the non-government organizations that are concerned with the safety of the residents against smoking.
Target Audience
Adult smokers find it difficult to stop smoking, since it became their habit for a long time. They will stop only if they are willing to, and the organization will help them in their rehabilitation. However, the main concern of this information campaign is the children. The organization seeks to inform the young ones about the dangers of smoking, and why they avoid trying to do it.
Opposition
The organization expects opposition from the business industry, especially the cigarette dealers. Both the large and small-scale businesses are expected to oppose the campaign, especially if their businesses are greatly affected.
Spectators
Just like how they will support the campaign, the organization expects the government to oversee the campaign. They are free to give suggestions as to how the campaign should proceed, as well as the ways to improve this, for the purpose of making the campaign more effective.
Stop Smoking!
Smoking is dangerous to everyone’s health, especially to the youth. For the young ones, your future awaits you, and smoking is not included in it. When you stop or prevent smoking, you will be able to spend your future life with a healthy body and a healthy environment. You must become a model for the next generation. You must show that smoking will not give anything good. For regular smokers, we know that it is difficult to stop, especially at the beginning, but it is worthy in the end. For those who are not yet in the smoking habit, we also know that the influence is everywhere, and the pressure from smoking peers is always strong. However, there are other more important and ‘healthier’ things to do. You must not give in to the pressures. As for this matter, we are ready to help you reduce, and then completely quit smoking. We have programs for both those who want to quit and for those who are being exposed under the pressure of smoking.
For the smokers who wanted to quit, we can help you by giving you free consultations, and health advice. Quitting smoking incorporates medical, social, and psychological efforts, so we are here to give you all these rehabilitation needs. For those who wanted to prevent the pressure coming from the smokers, we will teach you how to handle these kinds of situations. Things such as peer pressures can be handled if an individual will be taught how to refuse to their requests. We give you advices on how to become smoke-free, and to live a healthy lifestyle.
In terms of ‘we,’ our cause involves both the government and non-government organizations. They have credible experts who are able to guide those who are willing to change, and those who are willing to live a life without cigarettes. For the funds, the organization sought assistance to the non-government organizations. They approved our cause and they are willing to help in whatever they can. This includes Also, the government, particularly the health department, also approved the cause. They are willing to provide experts, who are also willing to offer their services for free. This anti-smoking campaign is supported by different entities. This only means that there is an urgent need to take this program into consideration.
Smoking does not bring any good to people. Also, anyone can live normally without this habit. For everyone who smokes, it is not yet late to change your lifestyles for the better. For those who thinks of starting to smoke, you better stop thinking about it already. Instead, you can support this anti-smoking campaign, and become one of the advocates of the smoke-free society. You must serve as the models for the next generation. You must prove that a healthy lifestyle can only be achieved when everyone stops smoking. You must learn to turn yourselves against public smoking, because it is prohibited by the law.
Works Cited
Al-Fuzai, Muna. "Up in Smoke." Kuwait Times. 2015. Web. 9 Jan. 2017.
"Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2015. Web. 09 Jan. 2017.
Memon, Anjum, Philip Moody, Thattaruparambil Sugathan, Najwa El-Gerges, Mahmoud Al- Bustan, Ahmed Al-Shatti, and Hussain Al-Jazzaf. "Epidemiology of smoking among Kuwaiti adults: prevalence, characteristics, and attitudes." Bulletin of the World Health Organization 78 (2000): 1306-315. Print.
