It is well known that smoking seriously damages health. However, despite such public warnings, a large number of people still choose to smoke. The habit causes many diseases and deaths each year. There are many reasons for people to start smoking in the first place as well as valid reasons to continue with the habit. The only solution to the problem is for people to stop smoking, but this will require help and support from society as a whole.
Most smokers took up the habit before they turned eighteen. In fact, most of them starting smoking regularly when they were in their early teens (Help). While so young, many people do not consider the health implications of smoking and almost definitely are not aware of how addictive the activity is. Many teenagers believe that they can smoke a few times and then decide to give up if they want to. Nevertheless, in reality, it does not take very much time to develop an addiction to nicotine and to smoking. Very quickly, children may face withdrawal just as harshly as an adult (Help). Furthermore, young people can end up smoking as many cigarettes in a day as an adult, which is perhaps even more alarming considering the developmental stages through which a young body is still going.
There are numerous reasons for young people taking up smoking. Firstly, peer pressure can have a significant impact. Many young people start to smoke because their friends do. The young people who already smoke, in this scenario, may have witnessed their parents and other family members smoking, and so took up the habit in order to be like them. Some young people, on the other hand, take up smoking in order to rebel against their parents or figures of authority. A further reason for children to start smoking is that they want to fit in with others and be accepted by them (Help). Additionally, there are some young people who are genuinely only trying out smoking and want to experience what everyone is talking about. As smoking is illegal under the age of eighteen or sixteen in some countries, many enjoy the thrill of getting away with something illegal and therefore carry on (Help).
Whatever the reason for a person starting smoking, the fact remains that it is highly addictive. The main reason for this is that cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a very addictive chemical. Some research has implied that nicotine may be even more addictive than heroine (NHS). Nicotine changes the chemical balance in a person’s brain, affecting the chemicals dopamine and noradrenaline. When the levels of such chemicals are altered, a person’s mood can also be altered. Many people who smoke find this experience pleasant. These mood changes can occur very rapidly. When nicotine is inhaled, it straight away charges to the brain and starts to take effect. The more a person smokes, the more addicted their brain will become (NHS).
In addition to being addictive, smoking carries with it serious health implications. Cigarette smoke contains around four thousand chemicals which can destruct the body’s cells and systems. Among these four thousand, at least eighty of them can cause cancer. Some examples of carcinogenic chemicals found in cigarettes include arsenic, tar, formaldehyde and cadmium (BBC).
Consequently, smoking is a probably cause of around twenty-five diseases. According to WHO, smoking causes around five million deaths around the world each year. However, in addition to this, the habit contributes to many other diseases and resultant deaths (BBC).
As smoking is so detrimental to health, many people wish to give it up. However, due to its addictive nature, this can be incredibly difficult. There are suggested strategies for people who really wish to kick the habit. The largest of these is to get support. Smokers whose family and friends assist and support them in giving up smoking are far more likely to be successful than those who go it alone (Kids). If the person is having trouble finding people to support them, perhaps because all of their family and friends smoke, there is the option of joining a support group, either physically or virtually. Another strategy is for the person to consider what their triggers are for smoking. They are most probably conscious of the circumstances in which they often smoke and, once these have been recognised and fully faced up to, the smoker can avoid being in such situations until they are no longer suffering from the cravings and withdrawal of quitting (Kids).
Smoking is the largest cause of death around the world, particularly in developed countries. The habit causes and contributes to a range of diseases and generally damagers people’s health. However, giving up the smoking is notoriously one of the most difficult challenges a person can take up. With support and other strategies, the process can be made easier. Ideally, smoking would be eradicated from the world altogether. However, to do this would take many, many years.
Works Cited
BBC. “How Does Smoking Affect Health?” 2012. Web. 23 April 2012.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/physical_health/conditions/smoking_health_effects.shtm
l
Help With Smoking. “Why Do People Smoke?” 2012. Web. 23 April 2012.
http://www.helpwithsmoking.com/why-people-smoke.php
Kids Health. “How Can I Quit Smoking?” 2012. Web. 23 April 2012.
http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/tobacco/quit_smoking.html#
NHS. “Why is Smoking Addictive?” 2012. Web. 23 April 2012.
http://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/2278.aspx?CategoryID=53&SubCategoryID=536
