An Article on Smoking: Risks and Solutions<br />Prepared by: Professor Dr. Thanaa Bahaa El-Din Abdullah<br /><br />Hello everyone. Today we will talk about a very important topic that affects our health and daily lives: "smoking." Whether you are a smoker or a non-smoker, this article will help you understand the true effects of smoking, why we should avoid it, and how we can support ourselves or our friends to quit. Shocking Facts and Figures:<br />- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking kills more than 8 million people annually worldwide, 1.2 million of whom are due to secondhand smoke.<br />- A single cigar contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including 70 carcinogens such as arsenic and benzene.<br />- 90% of lung cancer cases are linked to smoking.<br />Effects of Smoking on the Body:<br />A. Short-term:<br />- Bad breath and yellowing of teeth.<br />- Reduced ability to exercise due to shortness of breath.<br />- Increased heart rate and high blood pressure.<br />B. Long-term:<br />- Lungs: Lung cancer, emphysema (COPD), and air sac damage.<br />- Heart: Atherosclerosis, clots, and heart attacks.<br />- Brain: Increased risk of strokes.<br />- Immunity: Weakened immune system, making you vulnerable to disease.<br />C. Secondhand smoke:<br />Even if you're not a smoker, Exposure to secondhand smoke increases your risk of asthma, heart disease, and cancer.<br />Social and psychological aspects:<br />- Addiction: Nicotine is a highly addictive substance, similar to hard drug addiction.<br />- Impact on relationships: Friends or family may distance themselves from you due to the smell or concern for your health.<br />- Financial waste: Calculate the cost of smoking and you'll find it's high.<br />Common Myths About Smoking: (Misconceptions Debunked)<br />- Myth 1: E-cigarettes are safe and non-addictive.<br />- Fact: They contain nicotine, which is addictive, and chemicals that damage the lungs (such as formaldehyde).<br />- Myth 2: Smoking calms the nerves.<br />- Fact: Nicotine increases the release of stress hormones (such as cortisone), which increases anxiety in the long run.<br />- Myth 3: If you've smoked for years, there's no point in quitting now.<br />- Fact: The body begins to recover immediately after quitting, even if you've been a smoker for years.<br />How to Deal with Peer Pressure?<br />- Say "No" with confidence: You don't need to justify your decision. Try: "Thanks, I don't smoke."<br />- Find supportive friends: Connect with people who respect your healthy choices.<br />- Turn the situation around: Suggest an alternative activity, such as playing football or having a drink together.<br /><br />The Role of Society in Combating Smoking:<br />- Governments: Awareness programs, increasing tobacco prices, banning tobacco. Advertisements.<br />- Schools and universities: awareness activities, providing counseling clinics for smoking cessation.<br />- You: Be a role model, help a friend, spread the facts on social media.<br />Smoking and mental health:<br />Some people believe that smoking improves mood, but studies show that:<br />- Smokers are 70% more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety than non-smokers.<br />- Quitting smoking improves sleep, increases energy, and restores self-confidence.<br />Inspiring Success Stories:<br />- S, 22 years old: “I quit a year ago, my health improved, and I saved enough money to buy my own necessities.”<br />- S, 19 years old: “I identified peer pressure, started exercising, and became happier.”<br />What if I fail to quit?<br />- Failure isn’t the end of the road! 80% of those who quit succeed after several attempts.<br />- Analyze the reasons for failure: Was it due to stress? Peer pressure?<br />- Go back to the plan again, adjusting strategies (consult a specialist if necessary).<br />- Smoking and the Environment (An Unexpected Aspect!)<br />- Cigarette butts are the most common plastic pollutant in the oceans (they contain toxic substances that dissolve in water).<br />- Forest fires are often caused by discarded cigarette butts.<br />- Tobacco farming destroys the soil due to the heavy use of pesticides.<br />Tips and Guidelines for Student Smokers:<br />1. “Break the Cycle” Exercise: You can write down a positive daily habit that can replace smoking (e.g., drinking water, exercising, etc.). Breathing.<br />2. The 21-Day Challenge: Choose a health goal (e.g., not smoking/exercising) and follow it for 21 days (the period required to form a habit).<br />3. Ensure positive change. Fighting smoking and addiction is a battle that requires everyone's awareness, and every small step leads to big change.<br />4. Smoking is a battle you can win, but you are not alone! Your health, your dreams, and your family deserve to live a life free of toxins. (You are stronger than any addiction.)<br />Sources and References:<br />- Al-Shammari, Khalid: (2015) "The Prevalence of Smoking Among University Students in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Field Study." Journal of Health Sciences, 12(3), 45-60.<br />- Al-Otaibi, Ahmed: (2018) "The Impact of Academic Stress on the Prevalence of Smoking Among King Saud University Students," Journal of Social Research, 7(2), 112-130.<br /><br /><br />AL MUSTAQBAL University is the first university in Iraq