Cultural Patterns Of Cigarette Smoking

Background Smoking is a deadly habit affecting the health of many globally, nationally, and locally. Smoking has immense negative health repercussions, reducing life expectancy by at least ten years compared to nonsmokers (CDC, 2016). Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including tars, carcinogens, metals, and other toxins that cause harm. The carcinogens inhaled, are then freely transferred from the lungs to the bloodstream, which may cause various cancers (Peterken, 2014). Additionally, many constitutes of cigarette smoke is absorbed into the saliva and swallowed, which leads to various negative topical effects on the gastric mucosa. This allows us to conclude that smoking has many adverse effects on the stomach, small

However, according the World Health Organization, smoking is increasing in the Eastern Mediterranean Region and the African Region (WHO, 2016). Most notably, the Chinese now consume more cigarettes than all other low and middle income countries combined. China and Eastern and South Europe consume the most cigarettes per person. (“Cigarette Use Globally,” 2014). Cultural patterns of cigarette consumption greatly vary based on various factors such as socioeconomic status as well as various laws and control measures the country has in place. The laws and regulations in different cultures directly affect tobacco consumption use, and can drastically alter the number of smokers and people affected by secondhand smoke. In cultures where smoking is freely and legally allowed in public places, people and children will be more readily exposed to secondhand smoke and its harmful effects. Politically, some measures have been taken to reduce the harmful effects of tobacco. Many countries throughout the world have been implementing laws regarding tobacco smoking. Scotland, England, France, and Argentina are only a few of many countries which have banned smoking in public areas (WHO, 2016).

Additionally, there have been increases on tax rates on tobacco. Increase tax rates have shown to decrease tobacco rates. The World Health Organization

Profit and money are the driving factors behind so many things, that people are not very motivated to eradicate something that earns them billions of dollars. Yes, legislation such as those to reduce secondhand smoke positively affect health outcomes, but I feel it is not enough. Tobacco is a legal substance despite its known negative, sometimes fatal repercussions. There is a plethora of research regarding the deadly and harmful effects of smoking and cigarette use, yet it is a legal substance used by millions. I think that the government needs to forget the profit aspect and focus on its citizens health. Whether it is making tobacco illegal, raising the taxes which has shown to lower rates, start more initiatives to reduce tobacco use, etc., more needs to be done on the government side of things to help people break the addictive and deadly habit of tobacco