SMOKING IN YOUTH

Some people out there seem to think that smoking is cool and grown up, but the fact is, ITS NOT!!!
Think twice before you try even one cigarette, because even after just one cigarette you could be hooked for life, as nicotine is a highly addictive substance, more addictive than heroin, crack or cocaine.

Young people say they take up the habit for various reasons, such as:

• Family members smoke
• Friends smoke
• Think it makes them look cool
• Peer pressure
• Females use it as a means of weight control

Associated Problems/Image with smoking:
‘The ugly facts about smoking and your looks’:

• Smoking dries the skin and causes wrinkles
• People who smoke often have a greyish wasted appearance
• Smoking can make you look 10-20 years older
• Tooth decay – leading to toothless smiles

Smoking does not help you lose weight, in fact it makes you store fat around your waist, rather than your hips, although it does suppress your appetite, this can result in a poor dietary routine, which could lead to serious health implications.
It also:

• Stains your teeth, increased risk of losing teeth and developing gum disease
• Gives you bad breath
• Can make you less attractive to the opposite sex
• Makes your hair smell
• Makes your clothes smell
• Stains your fingers

Smoking and your health - theFACTS:
Cigarettes contain over 4000 chemicals, 60 of which are proven to cause cancer.
Including:

• Acetone – paint stripper
• Arsenic – ant killer
• Ammonia – cleaning agent
• Hydrogen Cyanide – poison used in gas chambers
• Formaldehyde – fluid used to preserve dead bodies
• Nicotine - Pesticide

Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many different illnesses and diseases.
Half of all long-term smokers will die prematurely as a result of smoking – half of whom are middle aged.
The most common illnesses and diseases caused by smoking are, Coronary Heart Disease, Stroke and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

• Coronary Heart Disease: is the leading cause of death caused by smoking.  Smoking is hard on the heart and the toxins in cigarette smoke lead to the hardening of arteries (Atherosderosis), which ultimately constricts blood flow and the supply of oxygen to the body is decreased.  Within one minute of starting to smoke, your heart rate begins to rise and it could increase by as much as 30% within the first 10 minutes of smoking.
• Stroke: In recent years, studies have shown cigarette smoking to be an important risk factor for stroke.  The nicotine and carbon monoxide, in cigarette smoke, damage the cardiovascular system in many ways.  The use of oral contraceptives combined with cigarette smoking greatly increases stroke risk.
• COPD (Emphysema/ Chronic Bronchitis): Smoking is the cause of a vast majority of COPD cases.  Due to smoking, the lining of the airways become inflamed and damaged, this damage is permanent and treatment is limited.  Symptoms of COPD include a chronic cough, breathlessness and increase risk of developing chest infections.

You may be aware that smoking cause lung cancer, but did you know it causes Leukaemia and cancer of the:

• Lip
• Mouth
• Throat
• Cervix
• Stomach

The risk of getting lung cancer is 15 times greater for a smoker than a non-smoker.  The risk of lung cancer accumulates over time and is related to both daily cigarette consumption and duration of smoking.

Smokebusters
Has your school got a Smokebusters club?
Smokebusters is an exclusive club for 9-11 year olds.
It aims to provide children with facts about smoking -
supplying them with information, attitudes and skills to
resist pressures to experiment with cigarettes

Pictured are Primary 7 pupils from Moorfields Primary School, Ballymena - Kyle Fleck and Sara Dawson

Primary 7 Teacher: Mrs Audrey Mc Clelland commented ‘I feel Smokebusters is a very fun and innovative project which we use in class talking about the harmful effects of smoking and coping with peer pressures. The children love to receive the Smokebusters newsletters, membership cards and stickers.’

Smokers Helpline:
12 noon- 10pm
0800 85 85 85. 
Calls are free.

Quit: Independent charity helping people stop smoking
0800 00 22 00
9am-9pm Daily
www.quit.org.uk

UK Wide NHS Go Smokefree   
0800 169 0 169
7am-11pm Daily
www.gosmokefree.co.uk

Health Promotion Agency - Smokers Website
www.want2stop.info

Ulster Cancer Foundation
http://www.ulstercancer.org/reduceyourrisk/smoking.asp