A recent survey by the Health Promotion Board (HPB) has shown that nearly one in five youths in Singapore agree smoking is not harmful.What is more worrying is the fact that 71 per cent of those surveyed also feel they can stop smoking anytime they want.That is a shocking result as far as I am concern.
The survey also indicated while just nine per cent of young people aged 13 to 16 smoked,another common misconception is that lighting up is a cool act that "a lot of young people are doing".Analyses also found out that social network plays a huge role in advocating youths to pick up their first cigarette.59 per cent of youth smokers polled have at least one parent who smokes,while only 34 per cent of non-smokers have smoking parents.95 per cent of youth smokers have close friends who smoke,while only 34 per cent of non-smokers could say the same.All of this statistics is very worrying.Frankly speaking,I dont smoke and will never smoke,I also do not have a smoking parents,but I have a smoking brother unfortunately.I think the fact that more youths today are thinking that smoking is harmless is due more to them being ignorant to the dangers instead of the reason that they do not know the harmful effect of smoking.If anti-smoking messages through the media,or anti-smoking activities in schools do not work,then the only way that will stop them from smoking is when they get some disease or something as a result from smoking.
Anyway,for the sake of you who are smoking but claim that you do not know the harmful effect of it,I am going to tell you some of them now.If you smoke,you may be struck by lung cancer.Smoking is involved in 85% of all lung cancer deaths,and it is incurable.You may also get heart disease.Cigarette smoking accounts for 30% of all heart disease deaths.The carbon monoxide in the cigarette smoke increases the amount of cholesterol clogging the arteries.Cigarette smoking is also the major cause of cancer of the lips,tongue,salivary glands and mouth,among others.If that does not scares you,then I have nothing else to say.I am not forcing you to stop smoking,you may smoke all you want,its your life afterall.But try not to smoke when there are people around you.Do you know that for non-smokers who are exposed regularly to second hand smoke,their risk of getting lung cancer are increased? And if smoke near to infant and children,they may get an increased frequency of respiratory infections.So I will leave the decision for you to make.
Lastly for all of you who wants to quit smoking,you may want to call the HPB Smoking Quitline at 1800-438-2000.It provides smokers and their loved ones with advice on how to quit smoking and how to help someone quit.I know it is not an easy process,it takes time.But good things will come to those who are patient enough.As for those who are planning to smoke,I encourage you not to.I have nothing agaisnt smokers,I know some of my friend smoke,but I am in no position to tell them to stop it.I just want to give some useful advice that might help you thats all.So please dont take what I said to heart.Till next time,take care and stay healthy.
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