Should We Ban Smoking for Teenagers?

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Cigarettes are one of the things that can trigger addiction and cause various health problems. People have actually felt the dangers of smoking to their health directly; the effects of smoking can also be seen clearly in front of the eyes. Among society, especially teenagers, smoking has become a phenomenon that is quite alarming because, at their relatively young age, they choose to do things that are harmful to their health. In fact, much research shows that smoking can increase the risk of various diseases that can lead to death, such as lung disease, coronary heart disease, cancer of the mouth, skin, and esophagus, and can damage the brain and senses of the human body. We must ban smoking for teenagers, who are the next generation of the nation, to prepare the next generation to be aware of their own health and that of others. 

Firstly, according to the WHO, cigarette smoke contains harmful substances such as nicotine, tar, and thousands of chemicals that have toxic and carcinogenic effects or may cause cancer. When cigarette smoke particles are inhaled, they are deposited throughout the airway. Nicotine, which is an addictive substance, is stored in the lungs so that when someone smokes or even just inhales the smoke, he will have the possibility of getting lung diseases such as lung cancer. 

Second, in addition to nicotine, cigarettes also contain carbon monoxide. Nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes are the main causes of heart disease because nicotine can interfere with the work of the heart and cause blockages in the heart's blood vessels, while carbon monoxide can cause the supply of oxygen needed by the heart to decrease because it is bound to blood hemoglobin. 

Third, the tar content found in cigarettes can damage the mucous membranes in the mouth, lips, and esophagus. The tar residue that accumulates changes the nature of normal cells into malignant cells that can cause cancer. In addition, the hot smoke from cigarettes can also cause mouth and lip cancer. 

Fourth, nicotine and other chemicals present in cigarettes can also cause constriction of blood vessels, which reduces blood flow to the brain, thus depriving it of oxygen and nutrients that are essential for healthy brain cells. In addition, smoking can also damage our body's senses. The sense of smell will be impaired because the olfactory cells in the nose are damaged, while the sense of taste will be reduced due to damage to the taste receptors on the tongue. 

The negative impact of cigarette smoke can not only be felt by people who smoke directly, but people who are around those people who smoke will also be negatively affected, as they will have a higher risk of experiencing respiratory infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia. Not only do they have a risk of respiratory infections, but it can also increase the risk of lung cancer if they continue to inhale cigarette smoke. Therefore, we must ban teenagers from smoking in order to prepare the next generation, who are aware of the health of themselves and others. Take care of yourself and others by not smoking.