Causes of youth smoking and solution to the problem

Nowadays, more and more youngsters smoke.  However, smoking is not only detrimental to individuals, but also t society.  It is time to prevent youth from smoking and encourage them to adopt a healthy life style.  In this essay, I am going to state the reasons for youth smoking and suggest some ways to alleviate the problem. 

Youngsters think that smoking is an act of being mature and smart.   They think that when they are holding cigarettes, they look like an adult and people will not look down upon them.  In fact, they are absolutely wrong.  They have already fallen into traps of the cigarette producers.  As a matter of fact, youngsters are misled by advertisements that is in a way it shows that a handsome man smokes .  These are strategies that are formulated by the cigarette companies to induce people to smoke.  Even though the advertisement has stopped broadcasting now, it is still stuck  in youngsters’ mind.  Thus, the number of youth smokers is still rising . 

Since youngsters do not realize the drawbacks of smoking, there is a rocketing number of young smokers.  To show the harm of smoking to youngsters will reduce the number of smokers. In fact, smoking is detrimental to health.  It induces some respiratory diseases such as emphysema.  When their respiratory system deteriorates, victims will find it difficult to breathe. Besides, smoking will spoil  one’s image.  Because of tar in cigarettes, by holding cigarettes in our fingers, they will turn yellow .  It will also stain our teeth yellow, or even black.  This image will give a poor impression to others.  Worse still, after smoking, smokers are smelly.  It is disgusting when people get closer to them.  Then, people will shun away from smokers.  If they understand the facts, they will give up smoking.

Since youngsters are the positive force of society, developing a healthy living environment is essential.  Promoting anti-smoking messages and smoke free environment is important. 

Advertisements can be used to raise the awareness of  youngsters.  The message of advertisement should be eye-catching so as to arouse the youngsters’ awareness. As we all know, women smokers who are pregnant is hazardous to infants.   Apart from the message conveyed, a suitable medium to launch the advertisement is a key to convey the message.  Launching advertising campaign by television commercials, billboards in Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and in youngsters’ magazines are feasible.  Since many youngsters watch television, television commercials is suitable.  When youngsters go out and take a ride on MTR, they can read the advertisement.  Launching advertising campaign in youngsters’ magazines can raise their awareness .  Advertisements is an effective way to promote ‘no smoking’ message. 

Moreover, we can produce anti-smoking television series and radio dramas.  As there is an escalating number of youngsters like to watch television series and listen to radio dramas, we can invite some Canton-pop stars who have a healthy image such as Kelly Chen, and Twins, to perform in television series and radio dramas.  In this way,  we can draw the youngsters’ attention as many of them worship the Canton-pop stars as idols.  To a certain extent, the smokefree message is usually more effective than the one that is instilled by their parents.  In addition to the actors and actresses, the plot of the story is also important.   The story of television series and radio dramas should focus on promoting ‘no smoking’.  The one who do not smoke will have a happy ending with their family but the one who always smoke will suffer from respiratory diseases and have a bad ending.  Usually, a sad ending will impress  the audience  Thus, television series and radio dramas can draw the youngsters attention to anti-smoking. 

In order to promote the anti-smoking message to students, we can invite some schools to organize some activities for their students.  In fact,  they can organize an anti-smoking camp for student smokers.  By participating in it, students are encouraged to quit  smoking and foster a correct concept towards smoking through games and activities.  Besides, the senior students can organize a games day with a theme of  anti-smoking for junior students.  During the process of organizing the games day, the senior students will gain some knowledge about anti-smoking.  It also provides a chance for junior students to learn more about anti-smoking in a funny way.  Isn’t it an effective way to promote the anti-smoking message?

All in all, youngsters are the future pillars of  society.  Developing a healthy living environment is beneficial to their mental and physical growth.  Thus, promoting ‘no smoke’ message to youngsters is essential.