Adolescents are most vulnerable to being initiated into tobacco use; about per cent of tobacco users get into the habit before the age of 1 when the body and the brain are especially at risk of addiction. According to a World Bank report, every day, between 82,000 and 99,000 children and adolescents across Earth take up smoking. In India alone, more than 50,000 children take their first puff every day.
Over the years, developed nations have recognised the risks of cigarettes and there has been a drastic reduction in smoking. But in developing countries, tobacco companies have been able to outwit vulnerable populations with aggressive marketing strategies. Direct, indirect, and surrogate marketing has been the norm of these companies. Glamorous projections of their products lure the young. Hence, the 2024 theme for the World No Tobacco Day is “Protecting children from tobacco industry interference”.
WHY KIDS GET ADDICTED
There is adequate scientific evidence that children exposed to smoke tend to smoke themselves in the future. Recent research shows that even one cigarette can prime a child’s brain for nicotine addiction. Chewable forms of tobacco are known to deliver nicotine three to four times higher than cigarettes, making them more addictive.
Several factors influence the initiation of children into these products. Family usage of tobacco, peer pressure, experimentation, easy access and availability, personality factors, underlying emotional and psychological problems, risk-taking behaviours, and most importantly, aggressive strategies of the tobacco industry. In the 1940s and 1950s, every movie had scenes depicting smoking, which was at the time considered a symbol of sophistication and good life. These made impressionable minds adopt such behaviour. Indirect promotions as big sponsors to mega events like sports, bravery awards, etc. have also influenced the youngsters.
HOW TO HELP THEM
The difficulty in quitting tobacco stems from the fact that individuals develop physiological and behavioural dependence, which is attributed to nicotine. Scientifically, nicotine produced from these substances is considered to be more addictive than cocaine and heroin. Though physiological dependency can be taken care of through the use of nicotine replacement therapy and various drugs, behavioural therapy forms an integral part of the treatment as well. Regular counselling, rational emotive behavioural therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and temptation and cues management, all form part of the treatment.
LOOKING INWARD
Falling prey to various addictions is a perfect example of an individual’s inability to hold onto one’s reins. We as youths, never think twice before exercising our bodies. But often the well-being of the mind takes a back seat. The root cause of most of our sufferings is primarily because of the way we run our thoughts. Since our entire existence is experienced through the mind, we can make it our best friend or our worst enemy. But we should realise that a calm mind is not just peaceful, it is focused, self-directing, and divine. It is also the ultimate weapon against challenges and the various battles we face.
Today, everything is growing rapidly, whether it’s religion, science, technology, medical research, academia, space exploration, or even the material world. To keep pace with everything, stress has become a constant companion. Two Cs which have created havoc in our lives: unhealthy Competition and Comparison. But to counter these stressful situations, we should include certain spiritual techniques such as prayer, practising self-surrender to God, meditation, yoga, and physical activities.
Though our modern culture looks at happiness in the outer world, it is the outer world which distracts us most from a permanent and stable sense of well-being. We spend all our lives searching for a sense of well-being in things like money, recognition, power, and physical pleasure. One realises with time that these worldly sources of happiness are only temporary. But if at an early age, we were to understand the essence of spirituality and incorporate its various teachings, we may be able to develop a healthy body and mind and also ignite our soul with strength and joy. Most of us are unaware that a spiritual background is intensely useful in preserving strength and peace of mind
Yoga works holistically at all levels: body, mind, emotions, intellect, and bliss. It not only strengthens the immune system but also calms the mind and helps better control the body-mind connections. Meditation, on the other hand, enhances one’s sense of self-control and increases one’s enjoyment of day-to-day living. Regular physical activity will not only help us feel more youthful and energetic but will also help us sharpen our mental faculties and help improve our self-image.
A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because its trust is not in the branch but in its wings. In life, we should always believe in ourselves. If life is like an ocean, all that we need to learn is how to swim in its turbulent waters, not by resorting to vices but by accepting every challenge as a fight and winning it with dignity and grace.
(The author is a senior consultant for Head and Neck Oncosurgery at Apollo Hospital in New Delhi)
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