The Deadly Facts about Smoking

Statistics of smoking cases Contents of cigarettes Effects to smokers Ways to curb smoking

Statistics of smoking cases

More than 10,000 Malaysians die from smoking-related illnesses every year. 30% of those above the age of 30 suffer from up to 40 kinds of illnesses which include heart problems and 57 types of cancer.

 About 50 teenagers below the age of 18 start smoking and most of them become hardcore smokers.
World Health Organisation report, recently, more than 100,000 youth started smoking daily.

Contents of cigarettes
Cigarette smoke contains about 4000 chemicals, many of which are poisonous. nicotine (a dangerous poison), arsenic (used in rat poison), methane (a component of rocket fuel), ammonia (found in floor cleaners), cadmium (used in batteries), carbon monoxide (found in car exhaust smoke), cyanide (the poisoned in gas chambers) and many other fatal substances.

Reasons why teenagers smoke

peer pressure. curiosity. Tension. Easy access to cigarettes.Shops usually never ask for mykad. To study better. Boredom. Have plenty of pocket money. Some as high as RM10 daily.

Effects to smokers Destroy alveoli that transfer oxygen into the blood permanently. Rapid heartbeat, Decreased in blood circulation Shortness of breath

 The smoker will not do as well in activities like sports, dancing or even singing. Smoke clogs up the lungs The cilia becomes malfunction. At a later stage, the smokers are more prone to upper respiratory problems like colds, pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, cancer of the mouth, larynx and oesophagus, bladder and kidneys.

Ways to curb smoking

Smoking among teenagers is a social ill and needs very serious attention. A good way to start would be through education, that is, the school system. They should be exposed to real life stories, statistics and pictures to explain the hazards of smoking.

 In 1998, the Government introduced therapy for smokers in four major hospitals in Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Ipoh and Seremban. Today, 44 hospitals and 111 health centres provide this treatment. In 1999, about 1,000 smokers were able to kick the habit. The ministry had compounded 11,211 people for smoking in public places that year.

 Even adults have to be educated as they are the role models for the young. In Malaysia, the health Ministry has approved 13 pictorial graphics which tobacco companies are compelled to print on their packets. In the mean time, the devious activities of the tobacco industry, especially its attractive packaging and the introduction of flavoured cigarettes have to be monitored closely.

 Stern action, in the form of imprisonment and fines should be imposed on the tobacco manufacturers if they are found guilty of such practices. The ministry was taking various steps to reduce the use of cigarette advertisements by sports and cultural organisations.

 Another measure taken was to direct manufacturers to reduce cigarettes tar content from 20mg to 15mg and nicotine from 1.5mg to 1.3mg.