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Class: 2-1
Date: 21-6-2010
Year: 2010
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Contents Page
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
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.
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.
b.)Nicotine- This stresses the heart, raise blood pressure and causes addiction( as bad as heroin or
cocaine)
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d.) Irritants- Similar to those in floor cleaner, insecticide, mothballs and embalming fluid
a.) Smoking causes cancer of the lungs and many other organs.
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
i.) Smoking leads to more frequent coughs and colds, lowered stamina and physical performance,
b.) It occurs when tobacco smoke permeates any environment, causing its inhalation by people
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.
a.) On an average, 4000 teens will start smoking everyday. Among them, 1300 will become regular
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c.) The earlier one starts smoking, the harder it is to quit. Teens who smoke about 100 cigarettes
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
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
c.) Sometimes due to nervousness teens also try smoking and once they get relieved, they continue
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
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.
a.) Family should watch over their children, showing care and concern.
b.) Government could promote anti-smoking campaigns to persuade people, especially teenagers, not
c.) Teachers could try to impart their knowledge and experience in this field to the students.
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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
1.) If you had been coaxed by your very good friends to accept a cigarette and smoke, would you do
it?
2.) Based on a non-smoker’s perspective, do you think that family can help to make a person quit
smoking?
4.) Do you know that smoking can lead to other bad habits such as taking drugs?
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
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
9.) Do you think that the government should increase the number of unauthorised areas for smoking?
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;
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
q.) Proctor, Robert N. (2000-11-15). The Nazi War on Cancer. Princeton University Press. ISBN 978-
0691070513.
r.) http://books.google.com/books?
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