Smoking and Youth in Nepal

Introduction:

I have been to west part of Nepal few months before and I saw a tragic picture. I was just returning from Church on Saturday and entered to a restaurant to have a cup of tea with a plate of snacks. When I entered the restaurant, a group of school students (kids) were enjoying cigarettes. It was very difficult for me go ahead because of the smoke. And that challenged me to think for a while and I decided to write some thing on it…

Six years before, when I was a school student almost 15% of my class mates used to smoke in toilet during the break time. And, according to a report nearly a quarter of high school students in the U.S. smoke cigarettes.I don't think its much different in Nepali context.

Smoking and the Problem:

Taking some tobacco in a small pipe is known as 'Smoking', in Nepali context. Most of the young (Teens and School Students), learns smoking from their parents in Nepal. Father of the home smokes as they come to home from out side and as they go to other's house them are welcomed with a piece of Cigarette. In village area, parents themselves ask to bring cigarette and even asks to put on fire. As children grow up they learn to smoke, so it's parents who teach to smoke to their young children. However parent warns not to smoke as their children become teens, with making some alerts of health problems.

And yes! Smoking has many health risks for everyone. Since the school students are teenagers and, the younger you are when you start smoking, the more problems it can cause in your health.

For example:

• People who start smoking before the age of 21 have the hardest time in quitting. That means younger people suffer a lots in correcting the habit.
• About 30% of youth smokers will continue smoking and die early from a smoking-related disease.
• Teen smokers are more likely to use alcohol and illegal drugs. That means smoking is a very first step to go on drug addictions.
• They are more likely to have panic attacks, anxiety disorders and depression. It may lead to the mental diseases.

Solutions of the Problem:

In Nepali Christianity Smoking is known as Sin. So whoever comes to church has to leave such habits. However, it's not just a matter of sin and punishment of God, rather then the health of the person. Parents and other adults who work with teenagers can help them to stop smoking by warning them of the risks of smoking. They can also set a good example by not smoking themselves, as Bible demands us to be an example for others.

Smoking has been become a habit for the College students too. Approximately, 25% of the college students of Nepal smoke at least once a day. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the Nepal. Most of the regular smoker starts their smoking during college life.

In Nepal, the media doesn't advertise the cigarettes a lots. However, Poster and Boards could be found ever where advertising Cigarettes. People can smoke even in the public areas. So that also young people are attracted to smoke in Nepal.

According to the current law in Nepal, companies are to print 75% of the box of cigarettes/ tobaccos cancer problems's picture or such matter which gives awareness not to smoke. Recently, government has decided to make it 100% area of the box to be covered with such matter/ picture. However, it has not make any difference to change the situation among the teens. 

According to my view point, smoking should not be done either in the young age or old, not because of the fear of church leaders or pastors or not even by thinking it is sin, rather it spoils our health. Our health is given by God and should take care it. We should respect out body because it is temple of God, where He lives.