Smoking tobacco products remains one of the most common harmful habits in Ukraine, which takes thousands of lives every year and causes huge damage to the nation’s health. According to research, about a third of the adult population in Ukraine smokes, and this problem affects all age groups, including teenagers. It’s not just everyone’s personal business. Passive smoking harms others, especially children, who are forced to breathe in tobacco smoke. At the same time, the economic consequences of the habit are also impressive: billions of hryvnias are spent every year on the treatment of smoking-related diseases and productivity is lost due to premature mortality.
Hard statistics of addiction
Few people think about the fact that tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemical elements, 250 of which are toxic, and 70 can cause cancer. And so we have the terrible statistics of the WHO, according to which about 8 million people die from smoking-related diseases in the world every year, and about 1.2 million deaths are related to passive smoking. Smoking itself is the cause of 90% of deaths from lung cancer, 75% – from chronic bronchitis, which, according to statistics, occurs in 88% of smokers.
But despite all the measures to combat this addiction and the terrible consequences of such a bad habit, many people start to take up smoking even from school. Previously, teenagers secretly hid behind the school and distributed one cigarette to the whole company. Nowadays, the picture of teenagers with electronic cigarettes is increasingly observed. Nowadays, among young people, smoking electronic cigarettes demonstrates their “elite” status, the opportunity to stand out and attract attention.
More than 50 million children and adolescents in the world have already become victims of the nicotine trap, and many of them start smoking before the age of 16. This habit, which destroys health and dreams, remains a symbol of fashion, protest or escape from reality. But do they realize the true value of their “adulthood”? Is this a new trend or just an activity for the bored? Let’s try to figure out what caused the popularity of smoking among teenagers.
Today, 37 million children between the ages of 13 and 15 use tobacco in the world. And in many countries, the rate of use of e-cigarettes among teenagers exceeds that of adults. By data study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Stopping Tobacco Organizations and Products (STOP), 20% of 15-year-olds surveyed reported using e-cigarettes in the past 30 days.
For data According to the European survey of pupils on the use of alcohol and other narcotic substances (ESPAD), 50% of Ukrainian teenagers have experience of smoking. Every fifth teenager has already formed the habit of smoking every day. Every 10th teenager picked up a cigarette for the first time at the age of 9, and some even earlier. About 90% of adult smokers start smoking before the age of 18.
Nowadays, the hookah hobby has become popular among teenagers. The share of teenagers who have ever used hookah is 32%. At the same time, there is an interesting tendency to increase the popularity of hookah among girls (34%) than among boys (31%).
Nicotine is highly addictive, similar to heroin or cocaine. Studies show that 2/3 of people who try one cigarette later become regular smokers. 70% of smokers in the world admit that they want to quit smoking, but they cannot do it alone.
How teenagers fall into a smoke trap
Social influence is the main reason. The desire to be “your own” in the circle of friends or to look like an adult often outweighs the fear of consequences. Advertising of tobacco products, even if it is prohibited in many countries, continues to find workarounds through bright packaging, Internet bloggers and popular TV series.
Add to this stress, family conflicts or feelings of loneliness, and a cigarette becomes a “friend” that is always at hand. Unfortunately, this pretended “friend” quickly turns into a mortal enemy. Often, teenagers underestimate all the danger. They believe they can quit at any moment. But the truth is that only 3% of teenage smokers are able to kick the habit on their own. The rest become lifelong hostages of addiction. Children who start smoking at an early age are more likely to develop a strong addiction. Their lungs, heart, and brain are still growing, but toxins are killing cells from the inside. Research shows that young smokers have a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease, lung cancer and even mental disorders in adulthood. What is more shocking is that smoking affects not only the body but also the mind. Nicotine destroys attention, reduces the ability to learn and causes apathy.
And no matter how much they talk about the harm of smoking at school, teenagers still choose a path that steals their health, productivity and even their lives. Advertisements and movies play a significant role in creating adolescent smoking addiction because they create the illusion that cigarettes are a symbol of success, style or rebellion. Advertisements often portray smokers as confident, stylish and independent. It attracts young people who want to find their place in society or express their individuality. Tobacco companies adapt their strategies to young people, using popular bloggers or integrating cigarettes into social media content.
In many films, idol characters, such as rebels or charismatic leaders, smoke. Everywhere, smoking is presented as an element of personal style and so-called “coolness”. Studies show that teenagers who see smoking scenes in movies or commercials are three times more likely to start smoking. Approximately 37% of young smokers indicate that their first acquaintance with cigarettes was related to media content.
The first traces of smoking in history
The smoking craze has a long and controversial history that dates back thousands of years. From religious ritual to status symbol and fashion, the habit of smoking has spread almost all over the world.
Smoking has its origins in the cultures of the indigenous peoples of America. The Indians used tobacco in religious ceremonies and to communicate with spirits. Tobacco was considered a sacred plant, and its smoke was a way to convey prayers to the gods. Archaeological research shows that tobacco was used about 5,000 years ago. Native Americans not only smoked tobacco, but also chewed it or used it as medicine.
The craze for smoking in Europe began with the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries. In 1492, after Christopher Columbus arrived in America, Europeans saw tobacco for the first time. The sailor Rodrigo de Jerez brought this habit home.
At first, smoking tobacco in Europe was perceived as a medical remedy. It was used to relieve pain, treat coughs and even ward off evil spirits. However, by the 17th century, tobacco had already become a luxury product available to the aristocracy.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, tobacco production became an important economic factor. Colonies in America grew tobacco for export to Europe. Many European countries, in particular Spain, Portugal and England, became rich from the tobacco trade. Monarchs and governments began using tobacco to fill their coffers by taxing it heavily. For example, the English Queen Elizabeth I financed her military campaigns precisely at the expense of “tobacco income”.
In the 19th century, with the invention of the cigarette machine, smoking became widespread. Tobacco used to be sold in leaf form or for smoking in pipes, but automation has made cigarettes cheap and accessible.
In the 20th century, smoking became part of popular culture. Cinema, advertising and fashion have turned the cigarette into a symbol of elegance, power and sexuality. For example, in Hollywood, stars often appeared on the screen with a cigarette, which enhanced their appeal.
In the USSR, smoking was promoted as an “attribute of a real man” and even a way to relieve fatigue after hard work. Tobacco products were cheap and available to all sections of the population. This contributed to the mass spread of the habit.
At the end of the 20th century, the world began to realize the dangers of smoking. Medical studies have shown that it is the leading cause of death from lung cancer, heart disease and other serious diseases. A global anti-tobacco campaign was launched, including advertising bans, restrictions on smoking areas and awareness of the harm.
So smoking began as a ritual, became an economic engine, a status symbol, and eventually a global problem. The history of tobacco is an example of how a habit rooted in culture can become a threat to the health of all mankind.
How they fight bad habits in foreign countries
Smoking among teenagers is a serious problem in many countries of the world. According to the latest data, about 50 million adolescents aged 13-15 in the world smoke or use tobacco products. The highest rate of smoking among young people is recorded in countries with a low level of development, although the growth in popularity of electronic cigarettes is also observed in economically developed countries.
Among US teenagers, e-cigarettes remain the most popular product (5.9% of youth), while traditional cigarettes are less popular (1.4%). In some countries, such as Nepal, chewing tobacco products are more common, while hookahs are gaining popularity in Asia and North Africa.
It is clear that this problem requires a global approach, including the cooperation of governments, educational institutions and public organizations to prevent young people from starting to smoke. In many countries of the world, complex approaches are used to combat adolescent smoking addiction. These measures include legislative restrictions, educational campaigns and social initiatives. In the USA and many countries, the minimum age has been raised to 21, which reduces the access of teenagers to tobacco. The EU, Canada and Australia have tough laws that impose significant fines on sellers who break these rules.
Many countries have banned tobacco advertising on television, the Internet, movies, and social media. New Zealand, for example, has a “smoke-free generation” law that restricts the marketing of tobacco products.
Increasing excise taxes on tobacco products makes them less affordable for teenagers. For example, countries such as Great Britain and Norway have some of the highest tobacco prices in the world. In Germany and Sweden, governments fund free counseling and therapy for teenagers who want to quit smoking. In the US, campaigns like The Truth Initiative use social media, videos and posters to explain the real health risks to teenagers.
In Finland and the Netherlands, schools are required to teach lessons about the dangers of tobacco, which reduces the likelihood of smoking among young people. In Australia, there are “tobacco-free zones” in schools, parks and near playgrounds. In Canada, mobile applications have been developed that help teenagers fight addiction. In Singapore, the sale and advertising of electronic cigarettes, which are becoming increasingly popular among teenagers, are prohibited.
As we can see, all measures show effectiveness in reducing smoking rates among teenagers, but global cooperation and constant updating of policies according to new challenges, such as the popularity of vapes or chewing tobacco products, remain important.
How to escape from the clutches of addiction
The best way to escape the trap of addiction is not to fall into it. But it is clear that it is difficult for a teenager with a not yet formed clear position and outlook to understand what is good and what is bad in a world where there are so many tempting things. Still, there is always a way out, you just need to start acting. And we have to start with explanations from an early age, since the age of smokers has also decreased. Telling children about the harm of smoking should not be done with the help of dry statistics, but through real stories and examples. It is worth understanding that every adult can and should become an example for children, which will help them avoid this dangerous road. Parents who smoke themselves are unlikely to set a good example. So you need to start with yourself, because you won’t achieve anything with only prohibitions. It is important to create an atmosphere at home where smoking is not the norm.
Today’s realities constantly create severe stressful situations, from which not only adults, but also children suffer. Teens who are experiencing stress or pressure need help. Problems detected in time can prevent the search for “solace” in a cigarette. A cigarette is not a symbol of adulthood, but a hidden trap that steals health, dreams and future. It is advertising, social pressure and the availability of cigarettes that lead children into a smoke trap, from which it is very difficult to get out on their own.
The outstanding German poet and dramatist Johann Wolfgang Goethe called smoking the occupation of idlers. Therefore, it is worth listening to the wise words of the classics and creating an environment for teenagers in which there is no place for boredom. Adolescence is a time when a young person is looking for himself, his character and life priorities are formed. During this period, it is extremely important that teenagers have space for development, communication and realization of their potential. However, today many teenagers lack opportunities to do their favorite thing or find their circle of like-minded people. This is a serious challenge for the state, which must invest in the creation of modern institutions and clubs for young people. Groups of robotics, programming, music or sports will help teenagers not only to spend time interestingly, but also to develop their talents. In such environments, motivation, self-confidence and teamwork skills are formed. The very creation of such institutions can contribute to the prevention of social problems. When a teenager is busy with creativity or sports, he is less exposed to negative factors, such as street companies, bad habits or Internet addiction. But it is worth remembering that such circles should be available to parents who are currently going through difficult times in the war, trying to earn a penny. Modern spaces with free or affordable sections, equipped with modern technology should cease to be fantastic dreams in modern society.
Maybe it’s time for the MES to wake up and engage in really useful reforms. After all, after-school education has long been the Achilles heel of Ukrainian schools. Often schoolchildren, if they do attend school clubs, it is more out of compulsion and with great reluctance, because it is not interesting there. And teachers, exhausted by bureaucracy, do not receive additional payments for these circles, and therefore are not motivated at all to create really interesting programs for extracurricular activities.
Smoking is not just a habit, it is a slow form of self-destruction that starts with a single puff. Teenagers, caught up in the illusion of adulthood or protest, often do not realize that they are choosing a path that steals their health, productivity and even their lives.
But the real shock is that this “smoke trap” is not just a teenager’s choice. This is the result of the influence of culture, advertising, social pressure and insufficient education about the dangers of tobacco. Every adult who turns a blind eye to youth smoking becomes a silent accomplice to this tragedy.
We stand on a threshold where we can either lose a generation in a cloud of smoke or create a future where children choose health over poison. All that is needed for this is active action: educational programs aimed at explaining the harm of smoking, limiting access to tobacco, supporting those struggling with addiction. This is a challenge we cannot ignore.
