The habit of smoking is on the rise as young and old people are seen smoking in various social settings
KARACHI: The habit of smoking is on the rise as young and old people are seen smoking in various social settings, more than ever. Smoking has become more of a trend among the younger lot in societies across the world. These individuals over time become addicted to tobacco consumption and are not able to perform well in their day-to-day activities without it.
Many students in colleges and universities take to smoking even in their institutions as they see their elders and teachers smoking. Many use it as a way to seek acceptance among the ‘cool crowd’. The smoke from cigarettes is not only harmful for the person smoking, but it is also harmful for those who are in proximity of the smoker.
Tar and other contents of a cigarette, upon entering the body, cause several respiratory tract and breathing problems. Other ingredients and carbon monoxide are equally hazardous to health. The most hazardous and toxic effect, however, is lung cancer due to smoking. Other diseases of the respiratory tract like bronchitis and tuberculosis are more likely to affect a chain smoker. Alongside the risk of such diseases, the habit of smoking reduces the working ability and stamina of a person.
The tobacco manufacturing industry is a flourishing trade business in the world. Therefore, the government only informs the public about the hazards of smoking yet takes no serious steps to stop the increasing sale of cigarettes and tobacco in other toxic forms. The government should take necessary actions without any further delay.
Zobia Siddiqui
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2017.
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