Journals Information
Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 3(6), pp. 241 - 250
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030603
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Factors Influencing Teenager to Initiate Smoking in South-west Bangladesh
Akil Hossain 1, Quazi Zahangir Hossain 1, Qazi Azad-uz-zaman 2,*, Farzana Rahman 3
1 Environmental Science Discipline, Life Science School, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh
2 Research & Development Section, Japan Association of Drainage and Environment, Bangladesh
3 Research & Development Section, Bangladesh Center for Communication Programs, Bangladesh
ABSTRACT
Long term smoking poses many health hazards that most of the teenagers know, but many do not care. Once they start smoking, struggle to cease throughout the lifespan. Peer pressure is one of the main causes of initiating smoking observed by many studies. The research was mainly carried out to explore the factors influencing the teen to initiate smoking in south-west region of Bangladesh. A number of 408 students from level 7 to 12 were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire during February to November, 2014. The curiosity of the teen and 'to get rid of frustration' is the two main reasons of initiating smoking. Some other acknowledged reasons are peer pressure; desire to fit with friends, fun making, copying parent or elderly, and to relief from mental stress. More than half of the teens smoke to overcome psychological stress. Some others are smoking to keep relaxed from study load, to keep away family problem as well as for outlook and personality. Many of the teen smokers used to smoke because of reasonably priced and easy to obtain. To overcome the situation, academic institutes can arrange workshop or seminar regarding the consequences of smoking on health. Health effects of smoking can also be added in the curriculum so that the teen can understand and re-think about their harmful habit.
KEYWORDS
Teenager, Initiation, Smoking, Influencing Factors
Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Akil Hossain , Quazi Zahangir Hossain , Qazi Azad-uz-zaman , Farzana Rahman , "Factors Influencing Teenager to Initiate Smoking in South-west Bangladesh," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 3, No. 6, pp. 241 - 250, 2015. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030603.
(b). APA Format:
Akil Hossain , Quazi Zahangir Hossain , Qazi Azad-uz-zaman , Farzana Rahman (2015). Factors Influencing Teenager to Initiate Smoking in South-west Bangladesh. Universal Journal of Public Health, 3(6), 241 - 250. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2015.030603.