In this brilliant country Kuwait, where thousands of expatriates and their families live, as I walk through the streets of Kuwait, it is unfortunate to note the number of people smoking. And the worse part- they are children and teenagers. Nowadays, age is not a barrier we see when people start smoking- children from class 8th to that of class 12th are engaged in this death bringing, horrible habit of smoking. Why, why is the habit being taken up a lot nowadays? What is the reason behind the increase in the number of smokers, especially from the Indian community.
Smoking is an activity that changes one life drastically. The nicotine in the cigarettes that people smoke is addicting and the people who smoke develop an addiction to it- they cannot spent a day without smoking. Smoking leads to many diseases like lung cancer, blood cancer and many others which steal the healthy life which the person is living away from him. Nowadays it is not the adults who are seen smoking more, but rather children- from ages of 10 to 18. There is a common notion among children about smoking being a "macho man's" habit and they can impress the opposite sex with this kind of behavior. Well I don’t think anyone would like to come near a person who smells like a pack of burning cigarettes and darkened lips, would they? Do all the so called "macho men" smoke? I don't think so.
The unfortunate part is the increase in the number of young children who are getting into this habit of smoking. The reason is their lack of maturity and the lack of proper guidance from their parents. Who is the right mind would like to invite his own death? The young children are attracted or pulled into this habit by their older peers who smoke, telling them that it is "cool" to smoke. And young children fall into their traps, like a rat to a rat trap.
I also feel the local shops are the one to blame for the increase in young smokers. They too have to careful in supplying loose cigarettes to children. Parents are also the ones to blame. They should keep an eye on their children and correct them at the proper time. Otherwise these bad habits will remain with them forever. Children learn from their adults and if the adults don't smoke and make the child understand the ill effects of smoking, I am sure these children will not indulge in such activities.
Ultimately the choice is in the hand of the children- whether they want to take up this deadly habit and take a direct flight to death or live a clean, healthy and long life. If the person has a strong mind I am sure he or she will take the right choice.
Source of the picture: onefaceinamillion.com
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