THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG YOUTH

THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG YOUTH IN DUTSIN-MA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KATSINA STATE

Abstract

This study is set to examine the causes and consequences of cigarette smoking among youths in Dutsinma local government Area of Katsina State. The study examined the factors responsible for youth involvement in cigarette smoking and its effect on the health and general well-being of youths in the study area. The study employed the quantitative and qualitative research methods to obtain data from the respondents. The stratified random sampling technique was used to select 100 respondents for the study.  Questionnaires and indepth interviews methods were used to obtain data from the respondents. Findings of the study revealed that the major factors responsible for cigarette smoking among youths include the need to feel sociable, to chase bore-dam and to feel warm. It was also discovered that smoking carried a lot of consequences ranging from health related issues, to possibility to influence youths into anti-social behaviour. The study recommended that policy frameworks be draw up by the government towards discouraging tobacco companies from operating in the country. also, public enlightenment and sensitization on the negative effect of cigarette should be stepped up.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

Smoking is a practice in which a substances such as, tobacco, marijuana or cannabis is burned and the smoke tasted or inhaled Akintaro (2015). It is primarily practiced as a route of administration for recreation of drug use, as combustion release the active substances in drugs such as nicotine and makes them available for absorption through the lungs. It can be done as a part of rituals to induce trances and spiritual enlightenment, (Lock, Reyndds and Tansey, 1998). Smoking is one of the most common forms of recreational drug use. In recent times, tobacco smoking is by far the most popular form of smoking ahead of pipes, cigars and chewing tobacco and is practiced by over one billion people in the majority of all human societies resulting in nearly 2 billion people, that is a third of the world’s population being exposed to pulmonary tuberculosis pathogen (Philips 2010; World Health Organization, 2002).

Smoking is one of the most common addictions of modern times. It has been implicated as an etiological agent for various chronic diseases, including a variety of infection, cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illness such as chronic obstacle pulmonary disease, that have impairment in the balance between cells growth and cells death, which, put together, are leading the cause of morbidity and mortality in today society (Zhonget al, 2008; Mehta et al, 2008). Unless smoking cigarette patterns are reserve, the world health organization estimated that by 2020-2030, cigarette smoking will be responsible for 10million death per year, with 70percent of them occurring in the developing counties like Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Egypt, Senegal and many other countries in Asia, Latin America (WHO 2001; Suriyaproum et al.; 2007).

Smoking has been shown to be a leading cause of premature mortality and morbidity resulting in several millions of deaths globally. It has been predicted that if the pattern currently seen among youth continues, a lifetime of tobacco use would result in the deaths of 250 million children and young people alive today, most of them in developing countries (WHO, 2012). National Population Commission (2009) submitted that Nigeria is one of the most populous countries in Africa, with an estimated population of 162 million people of which youth are estimated to be more than 30%. In Nigeria, the prevalence of tobacco use among adults(12.3% males <1% in females) is generally lower than in more developed countries, however, prevalence among youth tends to be higher than among adults, a mean lifetime smoking prevalence of 26.4% was reported among secondary school students with values ranging from 7.2% to 42.9% (Odukoya, Odeyemi, Oyeyemi and Updhyay, 2013).

Cigarette smoking has been associated with an extensive list of health disorders as well as reduction of life expectancy (Detels 2002; Doll et al 2004). On the average, cigarette smokers lose about 15 years of their life (WHO 2008)  and an estimated 4 million cigarette smokers die worldwide annually (The Global Youth Tobacco Survey Collaborative Group 2002). Several reporters has also reported that cigarette may be the first drug to be used by adolescents in a sequel that may include alcohol, marijuana, and hard drugs, individual who are not smoking cigarette by the age of twenty are unlikely to become smokers (Mayhey  et al 2000; Faeh et al 2006; Siziya 2007).

Prevalence of cigarette smoking varies among secondary school students and youths varies from one part of Nigeria to the other and it appears that the prevalence is higher in the Northern part of Nigeria compared with the South (Omokhodion and Faseru 2008; Salawu et al 2009; Yahya et al 2010; Adeyeye 2011). Many factors have been put forward for adolescents engagements in smoking. These include normal developmental changes, psychological factors and the social environment. Under normal developmental changes, influence of peer, the need to conform and direct craving for cigarette use have been mentioned. For the psychological factors, emotional problems such as low esteem, dissatisfaction with life, less social confidence, need for approval, anxiety, restlessness and antisocial factors have been identified. Considering the social environment, family influence (having parents who are unstable and engage in cigarette smoking), role of the media (for instance advertisements for cigarettes, portraying people who smoke cigarettes as sophisticated, sexy, manly in movies) have also been mentioned (Ojo et al 2008).

Cigarette smoking has so much implication which include health implication such as prevalence of diseases which include lung cancer, heart attacks, erectile dysfunction and can also lead to birth defects; gastro intestinal disorder such as mal-absorption, ulcers, inflammation of the gastro intestinal tract; metabolic disturbance such ashypokalemia, hypomagnesaemia; cardiovascular problem such as the disturbance caused include hypertension, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy;  endocrine system disorder which include diabetes and pancreatitis; central nervous system which the problem include depression, organic brain syndrome, sleep disturbances, memory loss; neuro-muscular problem which include myopathys; financial implication; as it drains the purse of the smoker thereby causing (sometimes) serious financial hardship for the individual; psychological implication which cause personality disorder, as smokers become irresponsible, maladjusted, posses poor dressing habit; educational implication which include gangsterism, truancy, vandalism which may lead to poor performance, repeat and eventual withdrawal or expulsion; and social implication such as social stigma; and air pollution to the environment Akintaro (2015).

It is against this background that this study will be conducted with the aim of determining the magnitude of cigarette smoking among youths as well as factors that determine cigarette smoking so that appropriate intervention can be later instituted to control this social problem.

1.2 Statement of the Research Problem

Cigarette smoking especially in public places such as markets, schools, pubs, bars and lounges also have adverse effects on the people and society. These have caused environmental issue as people smoke in open places. Smoke and cigarette butts affect the environment the most, resulting into air, water and land pollution. Even the production of cigarettes influences the environment a lot. It is quite evident that smoking causes air pollution and to some extent also pollutes the ground. Approximately 4000 chemicals are present in cigarettes, which are breathed out and released in the atmosphere. This indicates that an enormous quantity of pollution is being released in the atmosphere every day, which usually affects the people in a given society. 

Smoking has adverse effects on the society. Most of the people who learn how to smoke are influenced by others. Hence, smokers exist as bad example and mislead the younger generation. This causes a drastic increase in the population of youths engaged in the act. Sometimes smoking can be banned, this usually also creates clashes between the public and the smoker when he/she smokes in the banned area. This often results in social disorder in every society.

Cigarette smoking has been associated with extensive lists of health disorders as well as reduction of life expectancy (Detels 2002; Doll et al 2004). On the average, cigarette smokers lose about 15 years of their life causing a drastic decrease in the social responsibilities of smokers.

It is in this vein that this research intends to explore the causes and consequences of smoking among the youths in Dutsin-ma Local Government of Katsina State.

1.3 Research Questions

In the light of the above, the following questions are outlined to guide this study.

1. What are the factors that encourage cigarette smoking among youths in Dutsin-ma Local Government Area?
2. What are the consequences of cigarette smoking on the development of the society?
3. What are the health implications of cigarette smoking in Dutsin-ma?
4. What are the possible ways of curbing the menace?

1.4 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to ascertain the causes and consequences of cigarette smoking in Dutsin-ma Local Government Area of Katsina State. Other specific objectives include to:

1.    Identify the factors responsible for youth indulgence in cigarette smoking in the study area.

2.    Outline the consequences of cigarette smoking in the development of the society.

3.    Understand the health challenges of cigarette smokers in Dutsin-ma.

4.    Recommend adequate measures or steps to curb the menace.

TOPIC: THE CAUSES AND CONSEQUENCES OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG YOUTH IN DUTSIN-MA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF KATSINA STATE

Chapters: 1 - 5
Delivery: Email

Number of Pages: 85

Price: 3000 NGN

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