Literacy on the effects of smoking cigarettes among senior high school students in
public school
Background of the study
Smoking cigarettes among senior high school students in public schools is a growing concern worldwide, as it is associated
with various negative health effects. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking cigarettes is considered one of the
leading causes of preventable deaths globally, with more than 8 million deaths annually. The use of tobacco products, particularly
cigarettes, is known to cause many health problems, including lung cancer, respiratory diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and many
other adverse health outcomes. Despite widespread awareness of the dangers of smoking cigarettes, many students continue to
smoke, especially those in senior high school. Students at this stage of development may be more likely to experiment with smoking
and other risky behaviors, as they navigate the challenges of adolescence and seek to establish their identities. Therefore, it is
essential to understand the effects of smoking cigarettes among senior high school students in public schools to develop effective
interventions and prevention strategies. Literacy is also a significant factor that affects students' ability to understand the dangers of
smoking cigarettes and make informed decisions about their health. Students who are more literate are better equipped to seek and
understand health information, make healthy choices, and resist peer pressure to engage in risky behaviors like smoking cigarettes.
Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the relationship between literacy and smoking cigarettes among senior high school students in
public schools.
Theoretical framework
According to Greenhalgh, EM., Stillman, S., & Ford, C. 7.3, addiction is broadly defined as physical and/or psychological
dependency on a drug. People who are dependent on tobacco are classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental
Disorders (DSM-5) as having tobacco use disorder, which is placed in the same class as other substance use disorders. Such disorders
are diagnosed based on symptoms such as craving, withdrawal, impaired control over use of the substance, and continued use
despite knowledge of health risks. The determinants of smoking are some mixes of biological, psychological, and social/cultural
factors. Theories of smoking and smoking cessation differ in their conceptualizations of the relative importance of and inter-
relationships between these factors. Interventions aiming to promote healthy behaviors that are based on theory or theoretical
constructs are more effective than those not grounded in theory.
Statement of the problem
Smoking is a risk factor for mortality from several medical causes. Cigarette smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke are
associated with premature death, economic losses to society, and a substantial burden on the health-care system. Cigarette smoking
during childhood and adolescence causes significant health problems among young people, including an increase in the number and
severity of respiratory illnesses, decreased physical fitness and potential effects on lung growth and function.
Significance of the study
This research was conducted to clarify if teenagers really know anything about the effects of smoking. The importance of
this research is to inform teenagers about the bad or good effects of smoking on their body, especially those teenagers that had
been influenced to smoke and doesn't have any knowledge about cigarettes. It is really important to let those teenagers know how
smoking cigarettes can affect their physical and mental health. Many health issues can occur to someone who smokes regularly.
Such as cancer, asthma, Bronchitis, diabetes etc. For more information Nicotine increases anxiety and tension This feeling is
temporary and soon gives way to withdrawal symptoms and increased cravings. Older people often ask younger people if they really
know the effects of smoking in their body, so it is important to study this to answer all our doubts or questions if these young people
really know the effects of smoking on their body. The people who will benefit from this research are none other than teenagers too,
so that they can understand what are the bad effects of smoking to their health. Their minds can be stimulated about the
information and they can even think about quitting smoking
Scope and delimitation
The general intent of this study is to determine the literacy of the effects of cigarettes on the health of smokers in Passi
National Senior High School. The major goal of this study is to identify factors that may affect smokers. In addition, this study yearns
to develop our knowledge as researchers by acknowledging the possible outcome that may happen to this research. We will conduct
this study in school year 2023-2024 during our class hour.
