Why do your friends smoke?
Personal reasons :
- Curiosity or wish to try.
- To prove oneself as (mature) enough to smoke.
- Low self-esteem.
- Believe in the myths of smoking.
- Rebel against authority.
Social reasons :
- Thinking it’s cool to smoke.
- Pressure from friends.
- Challenge from friends to smoke.
- Modeling after parents/guardians or relatives who smoke.
- Modeling after popular idols who smoke.
Environmental reasons :
- Media influence (e.g. advertisements).
- Easily obtained.
Myths and facts of smoking
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Myths
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Facts
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- Smoking is not as dangerous as some people say.
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- Most health experts agree that cigarette smoking is one of the most serious causes of death and disability in Malaysia.
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- It is easy to quit smoking.
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- Most people are unsuccessful at quitting smoking, even though half of all smokers have tried to quit at least once.
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- The bad effects of smoking is not something you will have to worry about until you are older.
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- Smoking is something that hurts you now.
- It hurts you physically by :
- Decreasing your ability to perform strenuous activity.
- Increasing carbon monoxide levels in your body.
- Causing you to smell like smoke.
- Costing over RM 500 a year if you smoke 40 cigarettes a week.
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- Smoking means you are grown up.
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- Teenagers who do not smoke have been found to be more matured.
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- Smoking gets you friends.
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- Teenagers who do not smoke have more friends because most teenagers do not smoke.
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- Smoking gives you inspiration.
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- Many teenagers who smoke tend to get involved in negative activities that are dangerous and unlawful.
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- Smoking is cool and sophisticated.
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- Smoking has become socially less acceptable and it has been banned in most public places in Malaysia. Smoking also promotes ageing. Skin becomes less elastic, more wrinkly and saggy.
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- Cigars are safer than cigarettes.
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- Cigars have no filter, which increases the risk of negative health effects, even if it is not inhaled into the lungs.
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- Smokeless tobacco is safer.
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- Smokeless tobacco is tobacco that is chewed, inhaled or sucked. It still increases risk of mouth and throat cancer.
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- Light cigarettes are safe
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- Lights as just as dangerous.
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PORTAL MyHEALTH Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia
