SMOKING is a worldwide phenomenon. It is common among teenagers. Most smokers start smoking before they are 20 years.

There are several reasons for starting this — like looking smart and cool, mature and sociable and also that smoking is good for reducing stress and weight control.

Although reasons for starting smoking vary from country to country, some common reasons are: influenced by parents and peers who smoke, exposure to tobacco advertisements, suffering from depression, anxiety or stress and affordability.

Campus smoking or use of other drugs has become a new phenomenon. College years are a critical time for teenagers to pick up the habit of smoking. For some, smoking is seen as a social activity and study ends at college and university.

On the campus and in hostels, smoking has become an important public health issue. There is an increase on campus-wide bans on smoking and preventive programmes.

However, smokers choose to neglect bans and continue to smoke. A recent study finds that, 31.9pc of college students say they smoke to lessen their depression. In fact, it increases depression in students. Smoking is also popular among women students.

For them, it is a tool of weight loss and dieting. A few body-conscious women students also smoke. Many students thought smoking gave them a cool or ‘tough guy’ image.

Students do not realise the effects of smoking. They do not know how injurious it is for their health. According to the World Health Organisation, short-term consequences include respiratory effects, heart disease and storke. It also hurts their physical fitness.

Early-age smoking increases the risk of lung cancer. Young smokers suffer from shortness of breath compared to non-smokers.

Spreading information about harmful effects of smoking can help to curb early-age smoking. Awareness and prevention programmes that use honest information about physical and psychological effects of smoking may help influence the behaviour of teens.

Dilawar Hussain

Lahore

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2016