The leading cause of preventable death globally is caused by cigarette smoking (Effects of Aromatherapy on Nicotine Craving, 2013). This topic is important while considering the promotion of health because although statistics show the horrible side effects of smoking, over five million people die each day due to cigarette smoke (Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use, 2012). The targeted population in this study is teenagers and adolescent groups. Tobacco use usually begins in adolescence, and the use of tobacco is also associated with an increased use of drugs and alcohol among teenagers which can also lead to serious complications later in life such as ADHD, anxiety and low academic achievement (Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use, 2012). This topic on tobacco use among teenagers and adolescents relates perfectly with the Healthy People 2020 topic areas because their main objective is to improve the health of all Americans.
Three scholarly and timely articles were researched and analyzed for this study. The first article is titled Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use in Middle School Students in Low and Middle-Income Countries, written by Laura Poms, Lila Fleming and Kathryn Jacobsen, focuses on various parenting practices which have shown strong influences on tobacco use among teenagers living in high-income earning countries (Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use, 2012). The study researched parenting practices and the impacts such practices have on tobacco use of middle-school children residing in low to middle-income earning countries. The second article used in this study is titled Interventions for Tobacco Use Prevention in Indigenous Youth, written by Charlotte Young and Phyllis Skorga. This particular article focuses on the effectiveness of intervention programs which aim to prevent the use of tobacco among young Indigenous children (Interventions for Tobacco Use, 2013). The third article used in this study is titled Usual Source of Cigarettes and Alcohol Among US High School Students and was written by Sherry Everett Jones and Ralph Caraballo. This scholarly article focuses on the use of cigarettes and alcohol being a common occurrence among teenagers. The article also examines the sources of alcohol, drugs and cigarettes among young people in America (Usual Source of Cigarettes and Alcohol, 2013).
The role of a nurse who aims at increasing health promotion activities is very important. Because there is a major need for interventions among young people in order to prevent smoking, public health nurses must continue to promote healthy behaviours within communities. For example, nurses aim to promote healthy living in schools, community organizations and also parental groups (Interventions for Tobacco Use, 2013). Also, nurses also play a key role in promoting smoking cessation by attempting to control community tobacco use and second hand smoke by urging governments to implement policies such as smoking bans in public places (Interventions for Tobacco Use, 2013).
If all else fails, research shows how positive parenting practices can dramatically decreased tobacco use among young people in low to middle-income earning countries. Nurses can help educate parents about on the value of their personal parenting practices which can prove to be considerably effective (Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use, 2012). It is also important to note that prevention efforts should begin at adolescence and be targeted towards middle school students. Policies and prevention programs implemented by schools, parents and community organizations play key roles in decreasing the use of tobacco among young people in America (Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use, 2012). Statistics also show that programs implemented through schools usually focus on drugs and alcohol education which includes tobacco awareness. Such efforts do show positive impacts on students by encouraging an anti-smoking attitude (Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use, 2012).
In conclusion, this topic is very important in considering the promotion of health because statistics show horrible side effects of smoking; however, over five million people die each day due to cigarette smoke and statistics also show effective preventative efforts can be made to decrease the use of smoking among young people in America through school-based programs, parental practices and community organization efforts.
References
Poms, L., Fleming, L., & Jacobsen, K. (2012). Parenting Practices and Tobacco Use in Middle School Students in Lowand Middle-Income Countries. Retrieved January 27, 2016, from file:///C:/Users/CHBernard/Downloads/document(1) (1).pdf
Young, C., & Skorga, P. (2013). Interventions for Tobacco Use Prevention in Indigenous Youth. Retrieved January 27, 2016, from file:///C:/Users/CHBernard/Downloads/document(2) (2).pdf
S. E., & Caraballo, R. (2013). Usual Source of Cigarettes and Alcohol Among US High School Students. Retrieved January 27, 2016, from file:///C:/Users/CHBernard/Downloads/document(3) (1).pdf
