Smoking
As society learns more and more about the impact smoking can have on health and money, it tries to find ways to discourage people from smoking. Smoking is now banned in public buildings, tobacco is very heavily taxed, and the message on the front of cigarette packets could not be much clearer.
In this section, we look at the issues involved. Use the page links below.
Why do people decide to start smoking?
How can you become addicted to smoking?
What are the long term effects or smoking?
What effects are there on others?
What about the money cost?
Where can I get help?
Why do people decide to start smoking?
- Stress from relationships, friends, family, exams or school?
- Image – My friends smoke and they look cool, why can’t I?
- Peer Pressure – I won’t be able to hang about with that group if I don’t start smoking.
- Your parent’s smoke – If it’s good for them, then it’s good for me.
When you decide to start smoking you don’t necessarily think about the effects it will have on your health. You may think I’ll try it a couple of times and then give up, however you may become addicted to the nicotine in cigarettes and then find it difficult to give up. The younger you are when start smoking the harder it can be to give up later in life.
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How can you become addicted to Smoking?
Nicotine is a highly addictive drug; it acts as a stimulant that enhances your brains activity and your concentration. Think you could be addicted? Complete the quiz.
http://smokefree.nhs.uk/quit-tools/addiction-test/
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What are the Long Term Effects of Smoking?
Smoking over a long period of time can cause a number of serious illnesses and diseases. Some of these can be fatal and others although may not kill you, could leave you with a poorer quality of life. Serious illnesses that can be caused by smoking include lung cancer, heart disease, strokes, heart attacks, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
To find out more information on smoking and the effects go to http://www.helpwithsmoking.com/effects-of-smoking.php
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What effects are there on others?
If you smoke around others they also breathe in the cigarette smoke. This is called passive smoking or second-hand smoking. People who are exposed to passive smoking are also at risk of getting lung cancer and heart disease. The law was changed in July 2007 which means smokers are now restricted to where they can light up; virtually all enclosed public spaces and workplaces are now smoke free.
Visit http://smokefree.nhs.uk/why-go-smokefree/secondhand-smoke/
and http://www.talktofrank.com/drugs.aspx?id=202 for more information.
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The Cost of Smoking
Apart from the effects on your health smoking can cost you a lot of money. Do you know how much you spend on cigarettes? Click the link to find out. http://smokefree.nhs.uk/quit-tools/cost-calculator/
What else could you spend that money on?
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Where Can I Get Help?
If you would like to discuss stopping or cutting down your smoking or are worried about someone else’s you can get free and confidential advice and information from:
Connexions - www.medwayyouthtrust.org or Telephone 01634 334 343
Smoke free - http://smokefree.nhs.uk or Telephone 0800 0224332
Talk to Frank – www.talktofrank.com or Telephone 0800776600
