Over the past few years, smoking has become popular among teenagers, despite the harmful effects it has on their health. For example, vaping, the use of an electronic cigarette or similar device by inhaling and exhaling the vapor it produces, has become particularly popular. Regardless of its type, I believe that smoking among teenagers is a serious problem, the effects of which can be very negative.
Firstly, smoking damages oral health as it increases the risk of cavities and periodontal diseases. Let's take for example this common vaping. A 2018 study concluded that the aerosols found in e-cigarettes can cause teeth to be more vulnerable to bacteria. These bacteria can cause cavities and an overall decrease in oral health. Another way vaping can influence oral health is by assisting in the development of periodontal diseases, according to evidence from studies from 2014 and 2016. Major factors that play into periodontal diseases are irritation in the gums, mouth, and throat, which can occasionally be triggered by smoking. The risks of periodontal disease include destruction of the jaw and tooth loss. While periodontal disease can be resolved in a few months, it can increase the risk of heart and lung diseases.
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Smoking has been shown to increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can have harmful long-term effects on the heart, including the risk of heart disease. Heart attacks and strokes both are included and can result in fatality. Of course, other lifestyle choices are factored into the risk of heart disease, but daily cigarette use still can be a significant factor.
Smoking also can affect a teenager's brain, causing more difficulty in school and trouble with how to act as an adult long-term. While smoking, a teenager's ability to focus and stay on task is affected. This can make it harder for students to perform well in school and keep up with classwork and personal problems. These effects on the brain can result in teenagers dropping out of school. If they do drop out of school, it can be hard to find an adequate job as an adult, especially if they experience mood swings and impulse issues, which is another risk of frequent smoking. Overall smoking can lower a teenager’s ability to function as a contributing member of society.
On the whole, smoking will continue to negatively affect teenagers and their ability to perform as adults. Unless people can begin to realize how much today’s teenagers will be affected by their poor choices in the near future, people will continue to face the consequences. The population can decrease if fatalities from heart disease caused by smoking continue to incline. If teenagers who suffer from brain damage drop out of school, people will not have a functioning society, and unemployment rates could rise. If society can raise awareness among teenagers about the dangers of smoking and start programs to ensure teenagers' safety against it, the overall health of teenagers will increase.
References
- Gordon, Lonna. “Vaping: What You Need to Know”. TeensHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/e-cigarettes.html?scrlybrkr
- N.A. “Is Vaping Bad for You? And 12 Other FAQs”. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/is-vaping-bad-for-you?scrlybrkr#effects-on-heart