Teen Zone: Saturday 20 May 2017

Time:09h00-09h30

Topic: Anti-tobacco campaign month: What causes Teen’s to smoke

Discussion: Although most of us are aware of the health dangers associated with smoking, millions of South Africans still light up. This is unfortunate because smoking puts you at risk of developing illnesses such as lung cancer, chronic lung diseases and heart disease. We shall discuss the main causes of teenage smoking. The most obvious reason as to why teenagers start smoking is peer pressure. Their friends are smoking so they feel the need to start smoking in order to fit in. Many parents may underestimate the power of peer pressure. Most people start smoking when they are in their teens and are addicted by the time they reach adulthood. Some have tried to quit but have returned to cigarettes because smoking is such a strong addiction. It is a habit that is very difficult to break. There are many different reasons why people smoke. Three of the main reasons that young people smoke are to look mature, to be like their friends, and to experiment. Since teens see older people all around them smoking, especially their parents and relatives, they smoke to act older. If their friends or peers smoke, they may feel pressured into doing the same to be accepted. The last reason is the excitement of experimenting with something that is forbidden. In Massachusetts it is against the law for anyone under 18 years old to smoke. Usually parents do not allow their underage teens to smoke. Therefore, smoking becomes very attractive. It is exciting to get cigarettes and sneak away to smoke without being caught. Adults smoke for other reasons. They may have a lot of stress and pressures because of economic and personal problems. They may be unemployed or working but not making enough money to take care of themselves and their families.

•             Most Teens start smoking t high school does the fact that most teachers smoke in front of children also encourage them to smoke?

•             What’s the attitude of teenagers regarding smoking especially when you do school or community outreach projects?

State your Mind: Saturday 20 May 2017

Time:09h30-10h00

Topic: Anti-tobacco campaign month: The Dangers of Second-hand Smoke (Smoking  near children)

Discussion: There is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

There is no risk-free level of exposure to second-hand smoke.

•Second-hand smoke causes numerous health problems in infants and children, including more frequent and severe asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).1,4Smoking during pregnancy results in more than 1,000 infant deaths annually. Some of the health conditions caused by second-hand smoke in adults include coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.1,4, Young children are most affected by SHS and least able to avoid it. Most of their exposure to SHS comes from adults (parents or others) smoking at home. Studies show that children whose parents smoke: Get sick more often,Have more lung infections (like bronchitis and pneumonia) Are more likely to cough, wheeze, and have shortness of breath, Get more ear infections, Second-hand smoke can also trigger asthma attacks, make asthma symptoms worse, and even cause new cases of asthma in kids who didn’t have symptoms before. Some of these problems might seem small, but they can add up quickly. Think of the expenses, doctor visits, medicines, lost school time, and often lost work time for the parent who must stay home with a sick child. And this doesn’t include the discomforts that the child goes through. In very young children, SHS also increases the risk for more serious problems, including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).