Project work Report: Smoking

Done by: Lee Kai Yang (23)

Seow Si Ern (27)

Joel Yap (17)

Edwin Teong (10)

Brandon Chen (5)

Teacher mentor: Zhang Zhao Jing

Class: 2-1

Date: 21-6-2010

Year: 2010

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Contents Page

1.) Introduction to smoking

2.) History of smoking

3.) Perception of smoking over time

4.) Contents of a cigarette and why is it so addictive

5.) Ill effects of smoking on oneself

6.) Introduction to second-hand smoking: How is it more deadly than smoking

7.) Facts on teenage smoking

8.) Reasons why teenagers smoke

9.) Solutions to tackling teenage smoking

10.) Purpose of unauthorised areas of smoking

11.) Ways to quit smoking

12.) Survey and results

13.) Hands on experience

14.) References

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1.) Introduction to smoking

Smoking is a practice in which a substance, most commonly tobacco or cannabis, is burned and the

smoke tasted or inhaled. This is primarily practised as a route of administration for recreational drug

use, as combustion releases the active substances in drugs such as nicotine and makes them

available for absorption through the lungs. It can also be done as a part of rituals, to induce trances

and spiritual enlightenment. The most common method of smoking today is through cigarettes,

primarily industrially manufactured but also hand-rolled from loose tobacco and rolling paper. Other

smoking tools includes pipes, cigar, hookah and bongs.

2.) History of smoking

The history of smoking can be dated to as early as 5000 BC, and has been recorded in many different

cultures across the world. Early smoking evolved in association with religious ceremonies; as

offerings to deities, in cleansing rituals or to allow shamans and priests to alter their minds for

purposes of divination or spiritual enlightenment. After the European exploration and conquest of the

Americas, the practice of smoking tobacco quickly spread to the rest of the world. In regions like India

and Subsaharan Africa, it merged with existing practices of smoking (mostly of cannabis). In Europe,

it introduced a new type of social activity and a form of drug intake which previously had been

unknown.

4.) Perception of smoking over time

Perception surrounding smoking has varied over time and from one place to another; holy and sinful,

sophisticated and vulgar, a panacea and deadly health hazard. Only relatively recently, and primarily

in industrialized Western countries, has smoking come to be viewed in a decidedly negative light.

5.) Contents of cigarette and why is it so addictive?

These are what can be found in a cigarette;

a.)Tar- This chokes up the lungs and causes cancer

b.)Nicotine- This stresses the heart, raise blood pressure and causes addiction( as bad as heroin or

cocaine)

c.) Carbon monoxide- Reduces amount of oxygen in the body

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d.) Irritants- Similar to those in floor cleaner, insecticide, mothballs and embalming fluid

6.) Ill effects of smoking on oneself

IT HARMS YOUR HEALTH;

a.) Smoking causes cancer of the lungs and many other organs.

b.) Heart attacks

c.) Chronic lung disease like bronchitis and emphysema

d.)Increases risk of suffering from blood vessel disease which leads to gangrene and amputation

e.) Higher chance of having high blood pressure, stroke and diabetes

f.) Ulcers in stomach and intestines

g.) Impotence for men and infertility for women

h.) Osteoporosis(brittle bones)

i.) Smoking leads to more frequent coughs and colds, lowered stamina and physical performance,

stained teeth and nails, bad breath and early wrinkles.

7.) Introduction to second-hand smoking: How is it more deadly than smoking

a.) Inhalation of smoke is called second-hand smoke(SHS) or environmental tobacco smoke(ETS),

from tobacco products used by others

b.) It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment, causing its inhalation by people

within that environment.

c.) Exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke causes disease, disability, and death

d.) Studies have consistently shown a significant increase in relative risk among those exposed to

passive smoke

e.) Recent investigation of second-hand smoke suggests that it is more dangerous than direct smoke

inhalation.

8.) Facts on teenage smoking

a.) On an average, 4000 teens will start smoking everyday. Among them, 1300 will become regular

smokers and 2000 would die due to this smoking habit.

b.) Average age of starting smoking: 18.9 years( as recorded on 2006 )

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c.) The earlier one starts smoking, the harder it is to quit. Teens who smoke about 100 cigarettes

found it very difficult to quit even if they wanted to.

d.) Teens who smoke are more likely to use illegal drugs and marijuana. Teens who smoke have 8

times the probability of smoking marijuana, 22 times probability of using cocaine compared to

teens who did not start smoking.

9.) Reasons why teenagers smoke

a.) Smoking among teens starts as an experiment then occasional smoking like in weekends, with

friends or at parties

b.) Occasional smoking is very dangerous phase as it may lead to addictive phase and teens start

doing regular smoking

c.) Sometimes due to nervousness teens also try smoking and once they get relieved, they continue

and become addicted

d.) Peer pressure plays a significant role in smoking addiction

e.) Cigarette contains nicotine which stimulates the pleasure feeling part of the brain

f.) Nicotine on the other hand, also acts as a hunger suppressant hence smoking become popular

among those who are dieting

g.) Recently, scientists have discovered raised levels of a pleasure molecule called as Dopamine due

to nicotine. This pleasure molecule or Dopamine is also involved with other drug addictions like

heroine and cocaine. Due to this molecule it becomes hard to quit smoking or other drug addictions.

h.) According to some people smoking also help to relieve stress.

10.)Solutions to tackling teenage smoking

a.) Family should watch over their children, showing care and concern.

b.) Government could promote anti-smoking campaigns to persuade people, especially teenagers, not

to smoke and to tell them the dangers of smoking.

c.) Teachers could try to impart their knowledge and experience in this field to the students.

d.) Students themselves must learn to be brave and say "No"

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11.)Purpose of unauthorised areas of smoking

a.) provide a clean, safe and healthy environment for the public

b.) protect them from the harmful health problems which can arise due to second-hand smoking.

c.) The smoking ban in prohibited areas started in 1 July 2006, when the Singapore government

banned smoking in hawker centres, coffee-shops, cafes and fast-food outlets.

12.)Ways to quit smoking

a.) Quit Smoking by Going "Cold Turkey"

b.) Nicotine Replacements Can Help Smokers Quit

c.) Quit with the Help of Antidepressants

d.) Using Varenicline

13.)Survey and results

1.) If you had been coaxed by your very good friends to accept a cigarette and smoke, would you do

it?

a) Yes b) No c) Don’t know

2.) Based on a non-smoker’s perspective, do you think that family can help to make a person quit

smoking?

a) Yes b) No c) Don’t know

3.) What is your opinion of people smoking in restricted areas?

a.) Shouldn't b) Be less strict, takes time to adjust c) Don't know

4.) Do you know that smoking can lead to other bad habits such as taking drugs?

a) Yes b) No c) Don't know

5.) What do you think family members can do to help prevent their child from starting smoking?

a.) Spend more time with them b) Forcefully prevent tem from hanging out with friends c) Don't

know

6.) Before you smoke, would you think of the consequences before you act( take it that your very

good friends are forcing you to smoke.)

a.) Yes b.) No c.) Don't know

7.) What do you think is the main cause(s) for teenagers to start smoking?

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a.) Peer pressure b.) Nervousness c.) Smelly places d.) Family influence e.) Relieve stress from

academics

8.) Second-hand smoking is dangerous, do you know that?

a.) Yes b.) No c.) Don't know

9.) Do you think that the government should increase the number of unauthorised areas for smoking?

a.) Yes b.) No c.) Don't know

From our survey that we conducted on our fellow students, we can learn that students have grasped

the basic knowledge on smoking, know about the consequences of smoking and learn how to politely

refuse a cigarette. Most importantly, these students realise the importance of family support to quit

smoking and it is the family which can prevent one from starting smoking.

14.)Hands on experience

For our hands on experience, we decided to ask the Health Promotion Board some questions;

1.) How is passive smoking more dangerous than smoking?

Ans: The smoke breathed in by the passive smoker may contain up to 3 times more tar, 3 times more

nicotine, 5 times more carbon monoxide and 50 times more cancer-causing chemicals compared to

smoking.

2.) Is passive smoking harmful to children?

Ans: Yes, especially if their parents smoke near them. The following are the effects of passive

smoking to children. They are more likely to get coughs, cold and infections like pneumonia. Their

asthma gets worse or they may even develop asthma for the first time. They get more ear, nose and

throat problems (like laryngitis). They are more likely to become smokers by following their parents'

example

3.) Are there some people who can't quit at all?

Ans: Quitting smoking can be more difficult for some people. A stressful lifestyle and/or a high level of

dependency on nicotine can make quitting more difficult. There is an extensive network of

professional quit smoking services available to help those who have difficulties quitting on their own.

In fact, smokers are 4 times more likely to successfully quit with the help of quit smoking service.

4.) What can smokers do when they feel the urge to smoke?

Ans: They can distract and occupy themselves with new and interesting activities or hobbies. Stay

away from people, places and situations which might tempt them to smoke. Avoid temptation by

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throwing away all cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays. Distract and occupy themselves with new and

interesting activities or hobbies. Try using Nicotine Replacement Therapy. Discuss with a pharmacists

or doctor.

5.) What are the normal reactions of the body while quitting smoking?

Ans: The normal reactions are difficulty in concentrating, dizziness (because the brain needs to get

used to having more oxygen), cough and runny nose (as the lungs get rid of all the toxins collected

inside during smoking) strong craving for cigarettes for about two weeks (while the body gets rid of the

nicotine) tingling sensations in the arms and legs (as blood circulation returns to normal)However, not

every smoker trying to quit will experience these reactions. A smoker who experiences these

symptoms should not lose heart as they will usually disappear within one or two weeks.

15.)References

a.) Ashes to Ashes: The History of Smoking and Health (1998) edited by S. Lock, L.A. Reynolds and

E.M. Tansey 2nd ed. Rodopi.

b.) ICoe, Sophie D. (1994) America's first cuisines

c.) Gately, Iain (2003) Tobacco: A Cultural History of How an Exotic Plant Seduced Civilization

d.) Goldberg, Ray (2005) Drugs Across the Spectrum. 5th ed. Thomson Brooks/Cole. ISBN

0495013455e.)

e.) Greaves, Lorraine (2002) High Culture: Reflections on Addiction and Modernity. edited by Anna

Alexander and Mark S. Roberts. State University of New York Press. ISBN 079145553X

f.) James I of England, A Counterblaste to Tobacco Lloyd

g.) J & Mitchinson, J: "The Book of General Ignorance".

h.) Faber & Faber, 2006 Marihuana and Medicine (1999), editor: Gabriel Nahas ISBN 0-89603-593-X

i.) Phillips, J. E. African Smoking and Pipes,The Journal of African History, Vol. 24, No. 3. Robicsek,

j.) Francis (1978) The Smoking Gods: Tobacco in Maya Art, History, and Religion

k.) Gilman, Sander L.; Xun, Zhou (2004-08-15). Smoke: A Global History of Smoking. Reaktion

Books. ISBN 978-1861892003.

l.) http://books.google.com/books?id=mM5bYb_uVcwC&printsec=frontcover&dq=smoke. Retrieved

2009-03-22.

m.) Wilbert, Johannes (1993) Tobacco and Shamanism in South America ISBN 0300057903

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n.) Eric Burns. The Smoke of the Gods: A Social History of Tobacco. Philadelphia: Temple University

Press, 2007.

o.) Kulikoff, Allan. Tobacco & Slaves: The Development of Southern Cultures in the Chesapeake.

p.) North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press, 1986.

q.) Proctor, Robert N. (2000-11-15). The Nazi War on Cancer. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-

0691070513.

r.) http://books.google.com/books?

id=02NGyKTwko0C&printsec=frontcover&dq=The+Nazi+War+on+Cancer. Retrieved 2009-03-22.

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