14. The problem of smoking in the world today

14. The problem of smoking in the world today

1. The nature of addiction

Addiction, as it is commonly thought, doesn’t relate only to drugs (heroin, crack, LSD, marijuana), there other forms of addiction such as reliance on coffee, sweets, tranquillizers and sleeping tablets. The nature of the addiction is often linked to cultural factors, e.g. cannabis is considered “normal” among Rastafarians, while alcohol is prohibited among the Muslim community.

Often people will become addicted without having a wish to become so. They may be prescribed addictive drugs and then find it difficult to stop taking them. Addiction may be chemical, i.e. the body requires a drug such as caffeine, alcohol, heroin, valium, to function. Often the body develops a level of tolerance to the drug and a higher dose may be necessary to produce the same effect.

Physical signs and symptoms will depend on the nature and type of addiction and the stage which the addict has reached. General symptoms may include mood swings, behaving out of character, irritability, lack of sleep, unreliability, poor performance at work or frequent illness, neglecting food, change in appearance. Probably the most important step for any addict is to acknowledge the problem, because without doing so, treatment is of little value.

2. The problem of smoking in the world today

The World Health Organization estimates that 3, 5 million people die annually from causes related to tobacco use. Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer. It is associated with heart disease, stroke, emphysema and lung diseases. Children who are regularly exposed to second-hand smoke are prone to respiratory illnesses. Smoking during pregnancy can increase the risk of miscarriage, result in low infant birth-weight and impede child development. Tobacco consumption is the leading cause of preventable death in many countries. In both industrial and developing countries half of regular smokers die from causes related to their tobacco use.

Since 1970s vigorous antismoking campaigns have been mounted in most industrial countries banning tobacco in the media, increasing cigarette taxes, requiring health warnings on cigarette packages, banning cigarette sales to minors and disseminating information.

For the first time in a quarter of a century the number of women smoking is on the increase (cigarette smoking among women has risen by 2 per cent in the past 2 years).

Reasons:

− to look like beautiful girls smoking on TV screens;

− to keep weight;

Over the past year, a few American states have passed laws that could result in stiff penalties for minors who try to buy or possess cigarettes. Some cities, meanwhile, are using undercover police officers to catch youths who smoke, and some schools that test students for substances such as marijuana are also screening them for nicotine.. Some other measures that are expected to reduce the number of young people who smoke include banning tobacco advertising on billboards and in some magazines, removing cigarette vending machines, ending tobacco companies’ sponsorships of sporting events and concerts and ending the sale of products such as clothing that carry brand names of cigarettes.

3. Smoking and job opportunities

Smokers have learned a lot about humility in recent years. Today smoker are more often separated from non-smokers: Relegated to the rear of airplanes or the drafty section of restaurants, they are sometimes even unable to rent the apartment of their choice. Now smokers face a new form of discrimination. Smoking, it seems, may be hazardous to the chances of getting a job. Some employers are resolutely closing the door to job seekers who smoke. Others will hire smokers but forbid them to smoke in the workplace. Both practices appear to be perfectly legal. Job candidates often find the question “Do you smoke?” written in red out at the top of the application form. Those who answer “yes” are told they needn’t bother filling out the rest of the form. Employees defend this policy by quoting surveys that show that non-smoking employees are more productive than those who smoke. They argue that people use cigarettes as a break from work, so smoking a pack of cigarettes on the job could mean 20 breaks a day. Smoking related illness can also cause high absenteeism.

4. How to give up smoking?

Tip 1

Quitting is different for everyone, so find an approach that will work for you. This may be either the cold turkey approach (stopping suddenly and totally) or a more gradual reduction in the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. Set a date to quit — and stick to it. Make it sooner rather than later. If you are quitting by yourself, it is recommended that you stop smoking completely on your quit date.

Tip 2

Get as much support as you can from family, friends and work colleagues. Let them know you are planning to quit, and ask smokers not to smoke around you or offer you cigarettes. Quitting with a friend can also be an excellent idea — you can share your feelings and encourage each other.

Tip 3

Throw out all cigarettes, ashtrays and lighters and anything else that might remind you of smoking. Wash your clothes and clean your car to remove the smell of smoke.

Tip 4

Nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine patches or chewing gum, could be a good idea for those who smoke heavily or who feel they may need the extra help.

Tip 5

Plan ahead for situations in which you are likely to be tempted to smoke, such as parties, drinking or going out for coffee. Try to avoid these situations in the early stages of your quitting programme, or try sitting in the non-smoking section at restaurants, drinking your coffee standing up or with the other hand, or keeping something in your hand when you're talking on the phone.

Tip 6

Write down all the reasons that made you decide to quit smoking, and carry them with you in case you need reminding!

5. My own attitude

Today we're more aware about how bad smoking is for our health. Smoking is restricted or banned in almost all public places and cigarette companies are no longer allowed to advertise on TV, radio, and in many magazines.

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 how come people are still lighting up? The answer, in a word, is addiction.

Smoking is a hard habit to break because tobacco contains nicotine, which is highly addictive. Like heroin or other addictive drugs, the body and mind quickly become so used to the nicotine in cigarettes that a person needs to have it just to feel normal.

People start smoking for a variety of different reasons. Some think it looks cool. Others start because their family members or friends smoke. Statistics show that about 9 out of 10 tobacco users start before they're 18 years old. Most adults who started smoking in their teens never expected to become addicted. That's why people say it's just so much easier to not start smoking at all.

How Smoking Affects Your Health

There are no physical reasons to start smoking. The body doesn't need tobacco the way it needs food, water, sleep, and exercise. And many of the chemicals in cigarettes, like nicotine and cyanide, are actually poisons that can kill in high enough doses.

The body is smart. It goes on the defense when it's being poisoned. First-time smokers often feel pain or burning in the throat and lungs, and some people feel sick or even throw up the first few times they try tobacco.

The consequences of this poisoning happen gradually. Over the long term, smoking leads people to develop health problems like heart disease, stroke, emphysema (breakdown of lung tissue), and many types of cancer — including lung, throat, stomach, and bladder cancer. People who smoke also have an increased risk of infections like bronchitis and pneumonia.

These diseases limit a person's ability to be normally active, and they can be fatal. Each time someone lights up, that single cigarette takes about 5 to 20 minutes off the person's life.

Bad skin

Bad breath

Bad-smelling clothes and hair

Staying smoke free will give you a whole lot more of everything — more energy, better performance, better looks, more money in your pocket, and, in the long run, more life to live!

World No Tobacco Day is observed around the world every year on May 31. It is meant to encourage a 24-hour period of abstinence from all forms of tobacco consumption across the globe. In the past twenty years, the day has been met with both enthusiasm and resistance across the globe from governments, public health organizations, smokers, growers, and the tobacco industry. Ash trays with fresh flowers are a common symbol of World No Tobacco Day.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-04