The Health Risk of Tobacco Use Among Young Adults and Adolescents
Tobacco smoking poses a huge burden to young Nigerian adults and adolescents around the world. Smoking is a tough habit to break because tobacco contains the very addictive chemical nicotine. Many never expected to become addicted. That's why it's better to not start smoking at all. Soon, a person needs to have it just to feel sane.
Among adults who smoked daily, 87% had tried their first cigarette before they were 18 years of age, and 95% had by age 21. The addiction rate for smoking is greater than the addiction rates for marijuana, alcohol, or cocaine. Symptoms of nicotine addiction often occur only weeks or even just days after a young adult smokes his or her first cigarette. More than a third of all kids who ever try smoking a cigarette become daily smokers before leaving high school.
Smoking among young adults and adolescents causes serious health crises, including an increase in the number and severity of respiratory diseases, decreased physical fitness, and potential effects on lung function and growth.
The 2012 US Surgeon General’s report concluded that smoking in adolescence and young adulthood is a cause of early abdominal aortic atherosclerosis (the clogging or hardening of arteries or blood vessels).
Young Adults and Health Risks (Short term Risks)
- Yellow teeth, tooth decay, and in some cases tooth loss.
- Shortness of breath, severe coughing, and increased mucus discharge due to chronic cough.
- Abnormal accumulation of air or gas in the lungs.
- Bronchitis as well as immune deficiency, hence being more vulnerable to pneumonia.
- Reduced lung function and growth and mild airway obstruction.
- A resting heart rate that is two to three beats per minute faster than nonsmokers.
- Hearing loss, fatigue, vision difficulties, increased headaches, and backaches.
- Reduced brain function, sense of smell and taste, sleep disorder, and bad breath.
- Skin problems like psoriasis (a type of rash), wrinkled skin, and ulcers.
Long term Risks
- Asthma, heart attack, hypertension, diabetes, chronic lung and heart disease.
- Increased risk for other cancers including lung, throat, stomach, and bladder cancer.
Young adults and adolescents are very interested in quitting smoking; 82 percent of 11 to 19 year olds who smoke are thinking about quitting; 77 percent have made a serious quit attempt in the past year.
If you want to quit smoking, there are different approaches. For some, eating healthily and quitting cold turkey is best. Others find a slower approach is the way to go. While for some a support group is better, especially for teens.
When quitting, know that the first few days and weeks are the hardest. So don't give up. Some people find they have a few relapses before they manage to quit for good. Staying smoke free will help you save more money, give you better look, and in the long run, a more vibrant life!
REFERENCE LINKS
https://www.nationaljewish.org/conditions/health-information/smoking-and-tobacco-use/health/teens-and-smoking
https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/smoking.html
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Daniella Obuwan Oshiame is a Lover of "Cats" and all things "Black & Vegan". She is a Naturalist /Vegan-Health Consultant, who enjoys writing Health & Nutrition articles and developing Vegan recipes.
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