Why you should not smoke
Tobacco is a very dangerous drug. It is legal and
widely used.
Thousands of people die every year as a result of smoking
cigarettes, cigars and pipes. The combined effects of nicotine,
(the main drug in tobacco) and other gases which enter the lungs
when smoked, greatly increases the chance of disease and
ill-health. Tobacco is a stimulant drug giving smokers a
'lift'.
Smoking has been directly linked to lung cancer, heart disease and
other major illnesses, as well being dangerous during pregnancy for
the mother and unborn child.
It is also recognised that secondary smoking or passive smoking can
put the health of others at risk. This is one of the reasons why
smoking has been so widely banned in public places.
Smoking and young people
Although the number of adults who smoke has dropped
over the past ten years, this has not happened amongst young
people. In fact in some parts of the country the number of young
smokers has actually increased especially amongst young
women.
Statistics have shown that one quarter of Britain's 15 year olds
(both boys and girls) are regular smokers. It is estimated that 450
children per day start smoking. Half of all teenagers who are
currently smoking will die from diseases caused by tobacco if they
continue to smoke throughout their lives and one half of this
number will have their lives shortened by an average of 23
years.
Currently one in five 15 year old boys smoke cigarettes - this is a
decrease of 5% since the mid 1980s. The numbers of teenage girls
smoking has risen from 25% in the mid 1980s to 29% now - that's one
in three.
What Are The Costs?
Physical
-
Wheezing, shortness of breath
-
Lack of energy, poor concentration
-
Dull skin, nicotine-stained fingers, premature
wrinkling
-
Reduced fertility, risky pregnancy, baby at
risk
-
Damaged taste buds, stained teeth
-
Lung cancer, emphysema, stroke, heart attack -
the list goes on
-
Damaged circulation, gangrene,
amputation
Social
-
Polluting the air with carcinogens
-
Children at higher risk of asthma, cot-death,
bronchitis and glue ear
-
Smoke gets in your eyes
-
Dusty, stuffy home. Nicotine stains your walls as
well as your fingers.
-
Spoilt clothes and furniture
-
Increased risk of fire in the
home
Financial
At today's rates, a 20-a-day smoker will spend
£43,800 over the next 20 years.
Action on Smoking and Health
ASH is a campaigning public health charity working for a
comprehensive societal response to tobacco aimed at achieving a
sharp reduction and eventual elimination of the health problems
caused by tobacco. http://www.ash.org.uk/
Find out the smoking myths
http://www.givingupsmoking.co.uk/Young_people__smoking/myths/ |