In today’s society many teenagers are introduced to new ideas every day. Teenage years often include adjusting to new people, and experimenting and trying out many unfamiliar ideas. As a teenager some maybe naïve and not fully think of consequences, and or long term effects of indulging in these type of activities. The cause for teenagers indulging in alcoholism and smoking can be many reasons. For some teens, peer pressure, curiosity, and also stress can all play major roles in why one might choose to indulge in alcoholism and smoking.
Alcoholism is an addiction to the consumption of alcoholic liquor or the mental illness and compulsive behavior resulting from alcohol dependency. Many teens take in alcohol not knowing the full effects of it. Alcohol has been known to have long term effects. It increases the risk of developing a long list of health conditions including breast cancer, oral cancers, heart disease, strokes and cirrhosis of the liver. Research also shows that a high alcohol intake can also damage our mental health, impair memory skills and reduce fertility. The intake of alcohol can lead to many malfunctions in the body. Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Casual smoking is the act of smoking only occasionally, usually in a social situation or to relieve stress. A smoking habit is a physical addiction to tobacco products. Many health experts now regard habitual smoking as a psychological addiction, too, and one with serious health consequences. Smoking has been known to not only damage teeth and lungs, but smoking is also linked to heart disease, stroke and other chronic lung diseases. Smoking can also increase your risk for cancer of the bladder, throat and mouth, kidneys, cervix and pancreas. Many people and teenagers in general are not aware of the damage smoking can do.
Peer pressure is social pressure by members of one’s peer group to take a certain action, adopt certain values, or otherwise conform in order to be accepted. Peer pressure is a big problem that many people experience every day. Being surrounded by a lot of friends can make one feel obligated to do what they are doing simply to fit in. For example, if a friend is out drinking and smoking and continues to ask would he/she like to try it even though one may not be interested in doing so they may just give in and do it. Being involved in a situation like so, is a prime example of peer pressure. Many teenagers are introduced to new activities every day because of peer pressure. Knowing that everyone around may be indulging in these activities often makes others want to fit in as well.
In addition, curiosity also plays a huge role in teenage alcoholism, and smoking. Seeing others always drinking and smoking may make one curious to try it for themselves. For example, if one is in a restaurant and people are ordering different drinks it may lead to curiosity to find out what is so good about it. Alcohol should not be consumed by teens for a number of reasons, including the potential for addiction, legal troubles, and their own life’s. Same goes for smoking, if a teenager is around people that smoke a lot they may feel the need to try it, and see what the big deal is. Curiosity is the strong desire to know or learn about a topic, because of this many people wound up in situations they should not be in.
Lastly, stress is another reason why teenagers indulge in alcoholism and smoking. Stress is a state of mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances. Not knowing how to cope with stress can lead to smoking and drinking to help solve any problems a teen may encounter. They may turn to these two activities because of the feeling it gives them. When one is stressed out they may feel like they just want a place of comfort, or a peaceful place in their mind that makes them feel good. For some to feel this way they turn to activities such as drinking, and smoking.
Every year more than 300,000 kids under the age of 18 start smoking. Also, some researchers from “BBC News” stated that alcohol and smoking combined, greatly reduce the sperm count of a young male. The more they smoke and drink the lower count, combined with marijuana there is a very small chance of getting a girl pregnant. Researchers from “BBC News” also stated that only 17% of kids under 18 years old indulge in tobacco products. Young people consuming all kinds of substances is drastically growing each and every year.
For some teens peer pressure, curiosity, and also stress can all play major roles in why one might choose to indulge in alcoholism and smoking. Many teens are involved in activities such as alcoholism and smoking in their everyday lives. Not realizing the effects these two can have on teenagers is a problem that many do not think about. These are the many reasons why teenagers indulge in activities such as alcoholism and smoking in today society.
