Tobacco and harm from tobacco use

Today, when looking to buy any pack of cigarettes, we can see the inscription on the package "Tobacco is
harmful to health", That's a completely correct warning. Tobacco is harmful to people because it contains
nicotine - a substance that makes people addicted to smoking, that is the starting point of all problems.

Cigarettes contain more than 7,000 toxic substances, including 67 carcinogens. When smoking, these toxic
substances will enter the body, causing many dangerous diseases such as lung cancer, throat cancer, laryngeal
cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer ,... In addition, tobacco causes cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous
diseases,...

According to a survey by the Ministry of Health in 2022, the percentage of students smoking cigarettes in
Vietnam is 5.5%. This is an alarming figure, because it shows that tobacco is entering the school environment,
threatening the health and future of the younger generation.

For young children growing up, thinking that having something in hand will become "cooler" makes not only
their health at risk, but also causes many other more dangerous social evils such as theft , lies to get money to
buy medicine.

Smoking in the school environment is not only harmful to the health of the students themselves, but also
affects the health of those around them. Cigarette smoke can cause non-smokers to suffer from poisoning,
respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis... Besides, cigarettes have to spend money to buy,
although the amount spent per pack of cigarettes is not necessarily too much, but if cigarettes are not used,
surely we will be able to use that money on more productive work.Tobacco really adversely affects all aspects
of human life, so we need to prevent and repel the evils of smoking to make life healthier.

solution
First of all, there should be close coordination between schools, families and society. Schools need to
strengthen propaganda and education about the harmful effects of tobacco on students. Propaganda activities
should be organized regularly, diversely, suitable to the age and psychology of students.

Families need to pay attention and educate their children about the harmful effects of tobacco. Parents need
to be a good example for their children to follow, not to smoke in front of them.

Society needs to create a healthy, smoke-free living environment. Authorities should strengthen inspection
and strictly handle violations of regulations prohibiting smoking in public places.

In addition, measures should be taken to support students to quit smoking. Schools need to develop smoking
cessation programs for students. Health centers need age-appropriate smoking cessation services.

In short, to solve the problem of tobacco in the school environment, it is necessary to join hands of all levels,
sectors and the whole society. We need to propagate, educate and create a healthy living environment to
protect the health of young generations.

Finally, I would like to call on all teachers, parents and students to take action to eliminate tobacco from the
school environment, for a healthy generation of young people with a bright future.
Questions and answers
Question 1: Are e-cigarettes bad to health?

Answer: E-cigarettes also contain nicotine, which is addictive and toxic. In addition, e-cigarette smoke may also
contain other harmful substances such as formaldehyde, acrolein ,... These substances can cause respiratory,
cardiovascular, neurological diseases,...

Question 2: How can you prevent students from using tobacco?

Answer: To prevent students from using tobacco, it is necessary to coordinate with all levels, sectors and the
whole society. Specifically, the following solutions should be implemented:

- Propaganda and education about the harmful effects of tobacco for students and teachers.
- Strengthen control over the tobacco trade.
- Build a healthy, tobacco-free living environment.

Question 3: What can students do to help prevent tobacco problems in the school environment?

Answer: Students can participate in propaganda and education activities about the harmful effects of tobacco.
In addition, students can also share information about the harmful effects of tobacco with friends and
relatives.