5 Ways To Prevent Smoking Among Teenagers

Tobacco addiction in adolescence has become a public health issue despite attempts by both state and non-governmental health organizations to prevent it. Here we take up some effective advice for early prevention of smoking among teenagers.

Despite global campaigns against tobacco, a major fight is still underway to prevent smoking among teenagers. Despite the well-known consequences of smoking, it is a public health problem. Tobacco is very harmful and dangerous.

Campaigns to promote awareness of the negative effects of smoking have done little to persuade people to quit. There are still a large number of young people around the world who stick to their cigarette habits.

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 150 million young people are smokers.

However, campaigns against smoking continue to spread via public media in an attempt to get teenagers to learn more about the consequences of cigarette addiction and the harmful effects of smoking on health.

What are the main causes of tobacco addiction among young people?

There are several factors that drive young people to become addicted to cigarettes. Identifying these factors is an important part of early intervention and preventive measures against smoking among adolescents.

Social acceptance

This is perhaps the most important factor. Many teenagers who do not add to the habit of smoking may feel that they do not fit in with the others in their age group. In the same way, many teenagers are curious and have a desire to experiment and try new things. They think that smoking is cool and that it will make them more popular.

They challenge the norms

Puberty and adolescence have always been characterized by rebellion, disobedience, and in some cases provocation.

Among young people, smoking a cigarette is one of the easiest and most effective ways to break the rules and rebel against parents, society, teachers, etc.

A way to de-stress

Young people often hold the false belief that cigarettes help them stress down and control their anxiety. It drives some teens to try smoking.

When there are many tests at the same time and there is a lot of school work to do, many teenagers are put under great pressure. Smoking gives an immediate, but only a temporary soothing feeling.

But when the drug’s effect wears off, everything goes back just as it was before – and sometimes even worse. And it strengthens the need to smoke more and more.

smoking among teenagers: boy with cigarette lights a girl's cigarette

Parental responsibility

Statistics show that when the parents are smokers, the risk is higher that the children become smokers when they are older. In such cases, nicotine abuse is often higher than among children whose parents do not smoke.

It is important to point out that in these cases, the parents have no one to blame but themselves. With their own negative example, they expose their children to the risk of getting the same addiction.

Advertising and media

Today, it is illegal to produce commercials or advertising campaigns that encourage teens to smoke. But something as simple as someone lighting a cigarette in a TV series or movie has a powerful influence. The same applies to other media. Smoking in the media indirectly encourages teens to follow the habit.

Studies have also shown that there is a strong relationship between advertising and alcohol testing. Young people are particularly receptive.

Lack of information

There are still some false beliefs about the supposed benefits of smoking, and this means that the true, negative consequences are forgotten under the false positive images that prevail.