Smoking is mostly a major health problem that psychologists are concerned about in recent times. This is because most families know that smoking is bad for their health and that the more they smoke, the more at risk they are. Cigarette smoking especially, is popular among students in high school and is a in factor among college students. It is also fashionable among students of tertiary institutions.
The adolescent smoker is this exposed to health hazards as well as thwarted self concept associated with smoking as a sign of deprivation. Second hand smoking, also poses many health problems experienced by smokers, and some more severe consequences. It becomes important therefore, to ask why adolescents begin to smoke and then maintain the habit. The following factors may have contributed to this behaviour:
(1) Response to peer pressure.
(2) The addictive effects of nicotine, the major compound found in tobacco. Once the adolescent begins to smoke, he often feels the biological need to continue habit.
(3) Some innocent students became smokers with the false belief that smoking enhances academic performance.
(4) Some adolescents are usually curious and so they verify their fallacies by experimenting.
(5) Most musical artistes are smokers and so those youths who see them as role models do what they do.
(6) Most adolescent boys and girls consider smoking as sexy and hip-that it may be a way of demonstrating masculinity.
(7) Some smoke so they can rebel against the control of their parents
(8) Others smoke just to woo girls
(9) Some smoke or sniff drugs like marijuana just to kill their conscience so they can participate in criminal activities.
Considering the cases above, it becomes very important for parents, school teachers and counselors to tackle each of these points. One method to reduce the number of smokers and to help eliminate the habit is to prevent people from taking the first puff especially because of the addictive effects of nicotine.
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