Smoking Habits

Substance Abuse Paper HCA 250 September 30, 2012 Substance Abuse Paper I topic I have chosen to discuss is about the dangers of smoking tobacco at young age into adulthood. Smoking Tobacco is the leading cause of premature death in smokers and it has been linked to death of non-smokers which is known as second-hand smoke. Just like Alcohol and drug abuse, smoking tobacco is used for many reasons for example simply being cool, to fit in, peer pressure, and my parents do it. Now let’s discuss the reason why smoking tobacco is dangerous to the smokers and non-smokers.

The reason for smoking is psychological, because the way smoking is glamorized in the movies and also in advertisements. This is not the real reason one chooses to smoke; the addiction is due to the nicotine which makes it hard to quit once one has started. One can overcome his or her addiction, when the psychological reasons for smoking are eliminated. The reasons people chose to start smoking tobacco was to show he or she is not timid or afraid, because his or her friends do it, to look cool, to act grown-up, sign of rebellion, parents are smokers, role models smoke, because of advertisement, for weight loss, and to reduce anxiety.

The effects of smoking in the workplace can lead to unscheduled smoke breaks, absenteeism, involuntary smoking, second-hand smoke, higher insurance premiums, increased chances of lung cancer in non-smokers and smokers, heart disease in non-smokers and smokers, effects the fetus of a pregnant worker, and irritation of eyes, headaches, nasal discomfort, cough, sore throat, or sneezing. To help employees control his or her smoking habit should begin with restricting smoking in the workplace.

By doing this it helps promote a healthy program in the workplace. Considering that exposure to tobacco smoke is a health hazard that many face on a daily basis. Therefore some would agree that this exposure should be addressed, therefore making it a workplace health program for all non-smoker and smokers. In order to help employees control his or her smoking habits is to introduce a smoking policy. When this policy is introduced it should be enforced at all times by smokers and backed by all employers and employees.

A company can also help those who want to stop smoking by offering fitness and nutritional counseling, exercise classes, and organized sports activities. The relationship between mental health and tobacco can be good and bad. People with Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder receive a calming effect from the nicotine. Although nicotine provides a calming sensation short term, in the long term it can cause mental illness and other health issues.

Some people begin to smoke because of depression, although once he or she try to quit they are likely to experience an episode of major depression. One can also experience insomnia, irritability, frustration, anger, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, decreased heart rate, increased appetite, and weight gain. In conclusion smoking tobacco can cause serious damage to every organ in one’s body. It is very harmful to the lungs and the cardiovascular system, this becoming the leading cause of premature death in smokers.

It also causes other diseases such as: heart disease, lung cancer, emphysema, peptic ulcer disease, and a stroke. References Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (1991, June). Retrieved from http://www. cdc. gov Environment Tobacco Smoke (ETS): Workplace Policy. (2011, March 1). Retrieved from http://www. ccohs. ca Mental Health Realities. (2011, July 18). Retrieved from http://mentalhealthrealities. blogspot. com Sarafino, E. (2011). Health psychology: Biopsychosocial interactions (7th ed. ). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.