SMOKING IS BAD FOR HEALTH BUT WHY DO PEOPLE STILL SMOKE?

Why Do People Smoke If They Know It’s Bad For Them?

There are three broad responses to smoking and smokers. First are those who actively smoke. Second are those who expose themselves to secondary smoke by being around smokers. Third, there are the strict non-smokers who give a disapproving glance every time they see someone blow smoke into the air. The last category often wonders why people smoke despite knowing the many health risks. Mukesh's heartfelt pleas during movie breaks in cinema halls warn of the severe side effects of smoking. Engrossed in an OTT series, you get distracted every time a character smokes by the 'Smoking is injurious to health' disclaimer. Cigarette packets display graphic images of its dangerous outcomes. Numerous health reports continually warn smokers about the dangers. Yet, year after year, more and more people start smoking, crowding paan shops and lighting up cigarette after cigarette. As World No Tobacco Day approaches, we ask why?

Dr Pradeep Bajad, Consultant, Pulmonary Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad feels that the portrayal of smoking as fashionable, glamorous, and sophisticated in popular media and culture has often attracted young people to smoke, despite being aware of the significant health impacts associated with smoking. Dr Sulaiman Ladhani, Pulmonologist, Wockhardt Hospitals, Mumba Central further adds, “A disturbing trend in smoking is the rising prevalence among young people, particularly women, and the increasing use of e-cigarettes and flavored cigarettes. These alternatives are often perceived as safer, leading to higher uptake among youth. Moreover, the association of smoking with weight loss and stress management is alarming, as it fosters addiction under the guise of health benefits.”

What are some factors that encourage young people to smoke?

Tobacco use among youth is a significant public health issue globally. According to the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, about 1 in 10 students aged 13-15 years use tobacco, with regional variations. In some regions, the prevalence can be higher due to factors like social acceptance, cultural norms, and the accessibility of tobacco products. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that in 34 surveyed countries, the average prevalence of current tobacco use among students aged 13-15 years was around 10.7% between 2012 and 2020, shares Dr Rahul Kendre, Lung transplant Physician and Interventional Pulmonologist, DPU Super Specialty Hospital, Pimpri, Pune.

A lot of times children take to smoking because the parents are smokers. Other times it can be because of peer pressure where their friends encourage them to try cigarettes and to keep smoking or they see smoking as a way of rebelling and showing independence. Many also feel left out if they don’t smoke. They think that everyone else is smoking and that they should, too. Dr Sulaiman shares, “In rural areas, children are sometimes sent by their parents to purchase cigarettes, which can lead to early experimentation and addiction.”

Dr Pradeep adds, “The tobacco industry has used clever marketing tactics to specifically target teenagers. The price is right—in places where low tobacco taxes have kept the price down, it is easier for kids to afford cigarettes. Most teenagers simply like to try new things, but they aren’t mature enough to think of the long-term consequences. Moreover, nicotine is a "feel-good" drug without intoxication.”

There is also an increase in smoking-related heart issues among the youth, a higher prevalence of non-communicable diseases, and more respiratory complications, including COPD. These trends suggest a broader public health challenge in curbing smoking initiation and addressing its long-term impacts.

Does smoking affect women differently?

Smoking affects women differently than men in several ways. Dr Sulaiman explains that women are eight times more likely to develop oral cancers compared to their male counterparts and have a higher risk—two to four times more—of developing heart disease, which can lead to increased mortality rates. Many women use smoking as a method for weight loss, which can negatively impact their fertility, causing infertility or premature delivery. Women are equally susceptible to developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and their lungs are significantly affected over time. Additionally, smoking accelerates bone density loss, leading to a higher risk of osteoporosis. The reasons women take up smoking often differ from men; they may use it to cope with stress from balancing personal and professional lives or as a form of rebellion. Urban women in their 20s have increasingly taken up smoking, leading to health complications in their 40s and 50s. Flavored cigarettes and a perception of smoking as glamorous have also contributed to the rising trend among women.

Tobacco smoking started to increase in women a few decades later than in men, and declines have started only more recently. Smoking prevalence is rapidly increasing in men in many low and middle countries, but not in women. Dr Pradeep tells us that some studies suggest that smoking may increase the risk of dysmenorrhea, secondary amenorrhea, and menstrual irregularity. “Women who smoke have a younger age at menopause and more menopausal symptoms. Smoking does not appear to be associated with breast or ovarian cancer, while an inverse association has often been reported for endometrial cancer, stronger in postmenopausal women. All stages of the reproductive functions are affected by smoking, and the effects are dose dependent. Smoking is positively associated with several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including infertility, ectopic pregnancy, placental abruption, miscarriage, preterm birth and low birthweight, and perinatal mortality.”

Early signs of harmful effects of smoking

Early signs that smoking is impacting your body include physical changes such as discoloration of the lips, a distinct odour, and a change in skin tone. Smokers often experience fatigue, weakness, and breathlessness during physical exertion. A persistent cough, known as a smoker's cough, can develop, which may be dry or accompanied by mucus. Over time, unexplained weight loss and progressive breathlessness can occur, leading to chronic conditions like COPD. Lung function decreases, and the risk of hypertension and heart attacks increases. Smokers are also more prone to premature aging, frequent upper respiratory tract infections, pneumonias, and other complications. These early signs indicate the extensive damage smoking can cause to various parts of the body.

Quitting smoking isn’t easy, but the rewards are clear - better health, more energy, and a longer life. The decision to quit is a powerful step toward a healthier future, for yourself and those you love. So, if you’re thinking about it, why not make today the day you start the journey?

2024-05-30T15:53:13Z dg43tfdfdgfd