Tobacco Addiction in the Usa

Tobacco Addiction in the USA

Nowadays, tobacco addiction has become one of the most common complications between teenagers in the USA; whether at homes, work places or even educational areas like schools. This problem is a conclusion to many reasons that led smoking from being just a habit to becoming a serious addiction case. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, nearly 80 percent of all adult smokers began smoking by the age of 18; and 90 percent were already smoking before the ending of their teenage hood. People smoke for many reasons whether to feel mature or feeling as if it is a way of escapism but the after effects are not worthy enough to turning smoking into an addiction. There were endless solutions that were previously suggested and were put into action. Trying to solve this problematic issue, some were able to succeed for a short period of time then failed miserably; while other solutions were unable to succeed at all. This paper highlights the solutions of tobacco addiction in the USA, analyzing the previous solutions namely using the government to help in putting an end to tobacco and to use electronic cigarettes, as well as the new suggested solution which includes raising awareness through educating citizens using advertising, motivational coach sessions and to attend support group classes.

There are many methods for the governments to encourage their citizen to quit tobacco smoking. One of ways that the government can do is the increment in taxes on tobacco companies; to increase the selling price of the cigarettes as well. Moreover, it would help in the increasing of the country’s income and would decrease the number of tobacco consumers. Also, the government can increase the legal age for smoking and to do random check ups on tobacco seller. Because some sellers are too lazy or careless to make sure of their buyers identity to verify their age and to ensure reducing the problem of underage smoking since it would be difficult for young people to purchase tobacco. In addition to restricting the smoking areas to not only prevent smokers from smoking much but to also ensure that the non-smokers would not be affected with the tobacco smoke. Seeking the governments help by enforcing the law in many different techniques to avoid the breaking of rules.

Electronic cigarettes have been one of the most common method used to overcome tobacco addiction in the USA. As Quit resource center mentioned; electronic cigarettes are devices that work with rechargeable batteries and works by delivering nicotine or other chemicals to the user via an aerosol vapor. The e-cigarette consists of three parts, that include; a cartridge, a vaporizer and a power source. These electronic devices are designed to take the place of tobacco cigarettes however; it does not involve the burning of tobacco. The electronic cigarette has been approved by ‘the Therapeutic Goods Administration’ to be an aid to help addicts with quitting. In addition to 29 percent of people who tried e-cigarette have quit smoking after approximately six months. However, according to U.S. Food & Drug Administration, 12.6 percent of U.S. adults had ever tried an e-cigarette in 2014, and approximately 3.7 percent of adults used electronic cigarettes daily. One of the studies reviewed that most e-cigarettes vapor contains at least traces of dissolved nicotine and flavorings. These are called solvents and are known as Lung irritants which can later on transform into carbonyl which is more worrisome. Carbonyl consists of cancer-causing chemicals and carcinogens. Same as most things that include two sides; electronic cigarettes can replace the conventional cigarettes, but e-cigarette users have the right to know the negative side of the electronic cigarettes.

A suggested new solution is raising awareness with the assistance of using different advertising techniques and attending both motivational coach sessions and support group classes. One of the methods that can help in raising awareness is using different advertising techniques such as distributing flyers in public places whether streets or parks. Or putting up billboards on main highway roads or most used roads. And also, promoting health campaigns using A-list celebrities or popular public figures like Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio and many diversified public figures like Kareem Ismail, Oprah Winfrey and many others. These people have the intention of informing smokers and non-smokers about the negative hidden side of inhaling tobacco that is why they created their own awareness campaigns. So as to share these campaigns on media platforms whether on social networks or on televisions; to deliver a clear, logical and powerful message to the audience. Second method that can benefit in spreading knowledge is providing support group classes for smokers and non-smokers. A support group is a gathering of people who share a common issue or interest or a health concern. It usually focuses on a specific topic; in this case is tobacco addiction. In order to help addicts in listening and accepting other peoples’ experience and to encourage and support them to not be alone while they are quitting tobacco. Thus, raising awareness among tobacco users and non-tobacco users has a great impact on decreasing the percentage of tobacco addicts.

There are plenty advantages for the suggested solution which includes educating the citizens, increasing the knowledge among people who are smokers and non-smokers and supporting addicts to stop smoking. Raising awareness through advertisements is very effective because the message it sends is sent in a direct way also it can be reached easily in different forms; whether the flyers that can be handed out to people at different places. Or billboards that can be pictured as street signs but are educational and may contain advice to stop tobacco smoking. Or campaigns that may include A-class celebrities that are taken as role models for quitting tobacco smoking or for promoting a support group center that people can go to. In addition to public figures speeches that call for an action towards tobacco addiction, giving people advice towards ending tobacco use and are offering information about diseases caused by smoking tobacco. According to a research conducted by NHS Health Development Agency mass media platforms changed the level of awareness about diseases caused by tobacco inhalation like lung cancer and addiction.

Despite various advantages that were led by spreading awareness through media campaigns and many different approaches, there are minor cons like the ignorance of people, the message sent being unclear and the efficiency of the campaigns done. Firstly, people who are not convinced enough to quit would not care enough to receive information about quitting tobacco smoking also some people might ignore the request of being more aware because oneself is not a smoker. Secondly, sometimes the message sent to audience can be misread or unclear which may not lead to any progress towards the target set. One can overcome this obstacle using a clear message with simple phrases and pictures. Lastly, the poor efficiency used in a campaign. An unprofessional filming may distort the viewers’ attention from the message to the methods used to do such campaign which would lead to loss of audiences’ attention. Hence, spreading a message of awareness into the public can face risky complications that can be solved easily when everything is well organized.