Smoking
Smoking is a big social issue in many countries nowadays widely
discussed in newspapers, radio and TV-shows.
The practice of smoking tobacco originated among Native Americans in
eastern North America, where tobacco is native. It was adopted by many
Europeans following the colonization of the Americas.
According to the World Health Organization, it is most common in east
Asia, where as many as two-thirds of all adult males smoke tobacco.
Because of concern over the health effects of tobacco smoking, the
practice has rapidly declined in recent years in the United States,
Canada and western Europe. However, statistics show that at least a
quarter of people even in these regions continue to smoke, and there is
no indication smoking will go away completely.
Tobacco may be smoked in several forms, the most common being the
cigarette, the cigar, and the pipe. Cigarette smoking is the most
common. Pipes and cigars are less common, and some stereotype these as
exclusively for men. The hookah or water pipe is used in the Middle
East.
In the case of cigarette smoking, smoke is inhaled into the lungs.
Tobacco smoke contains the nicotine, which forms a strong physical and
psychological addiction. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
claim that nicotine is a “very addictive drug” that can be “as addictive
as heroin or cocaine”.
Medical research has found that smoking is a major contributing factor
towards many human health problems, especially lung cancer, heart
attack, and other disorders. Research also showed that smoking is an
important cause of premature death worldwide.
Passive smoking (also known as environmental tobacco smoke, involuntary
smoking or secondhand smoke) occurs when the exhaled smoke from one
person’s cigarette is inhaled by other people. Involuntary smoking
involves inhaling toxic components. Numerous studies have suggested that
passive smoking can be harmful to human health. Passive smoking is one
of the key issues in leading to smoking bans, particularly in
workplaces.
Smoking is not supported by many people in the world, for the most part
by the non-smokers.
Most arguments against smoking are grounded on public health concerns.
In many countries, including the United States, New Zealand, Canada,
South Africa and Australia, it is illegal to sell tobacco products to
minors.
Several Western countries have also put restrictions on cigarette
advertising. In the United States, all television advertising of tobacco
products has been prohibited since 1971. In Australia, the Tobacco
Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 prohibits tobacco advertising in any
form, with a very small number of exceptions.
In addition, in many countries some jurisdictions impose restrictions on
where smoking is allowed. Several European countries such as the
Republic of Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Italy, Spain and Scotland have
legislated against smoking in public places, often including bars and
restaurants. Similar bans will also take effect in the rest of the UK at
various intervals.
In the United States, many states prohibit smoking in restaurants, and
some also prohibit smoking in bars.
Still, many people continue smoking. People start smoking for different
reasons. Some say they smoke in order to relax, rest and distract from
their daily stress. I think that most of the minors smoke in order to be
like everybody else, to be cool and become a grown up.
However, successful ex-smokers are often quite happy and relieved, as
well as proud of their success.
Personally, I don’t smoke and never smoked since I tried my father’s
unfinished cigarette at the age of seven. I am very tolerant towards
smokers as long as they don’t smoke in my presence and it’s of no harm
to me. Of course it’s very harmful for them, but it’s their own life and
their own choice.
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