Smoking

“Every 6.5 seconds someone dies from tobacco use” – World Health Organization

 

Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you but still, lots of young people start smoking every year.

 

You are more likely to smoke if:

  • Your parents or other close family smoke
  • Your friends smoke
  • You want to impress someone who smokes

 

But what are the issues?

 

Health

Smoking can cause:

  • Cancer of the Mouth, Throat Larynx
  • Blindness
  • Heart Disease, Angina, Heart Attack
  • Lung Cancer
  • Emphysema, Pneumonia
  • Cancer of the Stomach, Intestine, Liver
  • Increased Risk of Diabetes
  • Leukaemia
  • Cervical Cancer
  • Circulation Problems
  • High Blood Pressure Strokes
  • Higher Risk of Amputation
  • Cancer of Kidneys, Bladder, Pancreas

 

Cost

If the cost of 20 cigarettes is £7.47 (37p per cigarette), how much do you spend each year on your smoking habit?

5 cigarettes a day = £602.75

10 cigarettes a day = £1,205.50

15 cigarettes a day = £2,409.00

 

Try the Smoking Calculator here.

 

Appearance

  • Smoking affects your looks
  • Your breath smells
  • Discoloration of teeth, gum disease, reduced sense of taste and smell hair smells, premature loss/greying of hair
  • Skin changes – premature wrinkles, worsens eczema, delays healing, yellowing on fingers
  • Smoker’s cough

 

Smoking and Sex

Smoking damages blood vessels which can lead to impotence. Nicotine affects the hormonal balance and testosterone levels which can result in lethargy, loss of libido and desire.

 

YouTube Film Clip

Anti-smoking commercial for teenagers [https://youtu.be/lKDkDjQHPuA]

 

Giving Up

 

It is always hard to give up a habit like smoking, especially if you have become addicted to nicotine, so ask for help!

 

Ask your school nurse for advice.

 

Teen Smoke Free suggest these steps to prepare you to quit:

  • Set a date to quit
  • Tell Family and Friends about your decision to quit
  • Anticipate and plan for times when you may be tempted
  • Remind yourself why you want to be smokefree
  • Track and monitor your progress regularly

 

Go to their website to find out more.

 

Smoking in vehicles

Update on new law on smoking in cars and other vehicles with someone under 18.

 

From 1 October 2015 it will be illegal to smoke in a car (or other vehicles) with anyone under 18 present. The law is changing to protect children and young people from the dangers of second-hand smoke.

 

Both the driver and the smoker could be fined £50. The law applies to every driver in England and Wales, including those aged 17 and those with a provisional driving licence. The law does not apply if the driver is 17 years old and is on their own in the car.

 

Every time a child breathes in second-hand smoke, they breathe in thousands of chemicals. This puts them at risk of serious conditions including meningitis, cancer, bronchitis and pneumonia. It can also make asthma worse.

 

For more information go here.

 

Shisha (Paan, Bidi)

Tobacco that you don’t smoke (including paan, betel quid and chewing tobacco) is not a ‘safe’ way to use tobacco. It causes cancer and can be as addictive as smoking. Find out the risks and how you can quit.