India is already under the burden of several problems and a new problem has spread its roots quickly among school children. Surveys have proved that there is a great increase in smoking and use of other tobacco related products among school children in India in the past 5 years. We can't tell that the children are not aware of the health hazards caused by smoking because from the time a child is born he is introduced to the world of tobacco products through media. The boys alone can't be blamed for tobacco use, even girls are also involved. Lets look at some points that attract children to take their first puff:

 STAGE I

1. Self Experimentation

Everyone is curious to learn new things so how can the children be left behind. They start experimenting with tobacco products at the adolescent age of 10-11 just out of curiosity and for fun.

2. Background

Children belonging to poor social and economic background are more likely to try smoking.

3. Smoking Parents

If the parents of a child are smokers then the chances of the child trying a hand at smoking is greater than the children of non smoking parents.

4. Media

The media plays a very crucial role during the adolescent age of a child. The television is the main media from where a child is attracted to smoking. When he watches a movie where the hero is smoking, his natural instinct is to try smoking.

STAGE II

Addiction

This self experimentation does not need much time to turn into addiction. The main ingredient in tobacco is nicotine which is a stimulant. The brain of a child is not fully developed at this age, so when a child starts smoking during adolescence his brain gets quickly addicted to nicotine. In course of time it gets really tough to quit as the brain gets used to its daily dosage of nicotine and when it does not get it the child starts to experience withdrawal symptoms like headaches, depression and anxiety.

STAGE III

Quitting

This is the most difficult stage in the life of a smoker especially if he is a child. Quitting is not an easy job, it requires great effort from the child as well as his parents and teachers. It depends on the way your body reacts to quitting and your environment. The very first thing do is to identify whether your child or your student is a smoker. The signs of a smoker are:

1. Coughing.

2. Hoarseness in voice.

3. Bad breath.

4. Stained teeth.

5. Prone to infections.

If you find that your child or student have these signs then don't be angry with him. Talk to him calmly and explain to him about the ill effects of smoking and encourage him to quit smoking. If nothing works out then take him to a de addiction centre.

 If nothing is done to stop this increasing madness then in the next 10 years India will be among the top 3 nations with highest population of adolescent smokers. Parents, schools, and government should take this issue seriously and contribute as much as possible to avoid this madness.

Parents:

1. The very first thing a parent should do is , if he is a smoker then quit smoking for the sake of your child.

2. Don't allow your child to mingle up with people or some groups whom you think can turn your child into a smoker.

Schools

1. Posters and pamphlets about the ill effects of smoking should be distributed among school children to make them aware of the hazards of smoking.

2. Encourage the students to take a pledge that they will live a tobacco free lifestyle.

Government

Government should strictly implement the following Tobacco Products Act throughout the country.

1. Prohibition on sale of tobacco products to those below 18 years of age.

2. Prohibition on sale of tobacco products within 100 yards of an educational institution.

• Written by krishna pramod.
• In category Society & Relationships.
• 11 years ago.

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