Lloyd Leandro R.

Salacup BSN III-C

The Major Effects of the Syntax Bill on Cigarette Smoking among Teenagers
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

A cigarette is a small roll of finely cut tobacco leaves wrapped in a cylinder of thin paper for smoking. Smoking is the most common method of consuming tobacco, and tobacco is the most common substance smoked. The cigarette is ignited at one end and allowed to smolder; its smoke is inhaled from the other end, which is held in or to the mouth and in some cases a cigarette holder may be used as well. Smoking is done everywhere even in public places. But in some countries, public smoking is prohibited. For some, smoking relieves tension; superiority among others, curiosity, satisfaction, and a form of self-deception but the adverse consequences of smoking is ones own health. There are 48 million cigarette smokers in the United States. Smokers usually start in adolescence, with 80% beginning before the age of 18. More than 3 million kids under the age of 18 smokes regularly; at least half of the smokers declare that they are dependent on them, which isnt surprising since the nicotine in tobacco leaves is one of the most addicting substances known to man. On 2009, the Department Of Health in coordination with the National Statistics Office conducted the first Philippine Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) which revealed that out of 9,705 Filipino respondents aged 15 and above, 28.3% were tobacco smokers and 22.5% smoke every day. It also shows that the average age of initiation for these smokers was 17.4 years old. Tobacco companies over the years have used many techniques to lure young adults. Most of the time they have succeeded in converting innocent young adults into raged tobacco addicts. Thats why the Philippine Syntax Bill or the Republic Act No. 9211 created with a purpose to promote a healthful environment and to protect the youth from being initiated to cigarette smoking and tobacco use by prohibiting the sale of tobacco products to minors. Lately, there was also a debate if the government must increase the taxes of cigarettes or not. News says that they will make the price of one cigarette stick to 10 pesos, thus making a pack worth 200 pesos. Smoking is a habit but it can be controlled. And the best way to do it is through smoking cessation. Many have tried self-discipline and lifestyle modification, but many are still having a hard time in their battle with smoking cigarettes. Many are still tempted to do it. Smoking could never be eradicated unless we try to start the battle against it.

References: Daniels, Rick. , Nosek, Laura. , & Nicoll, Leslie. (2007). Contemporary Medical Surgical Nursing. New York, USA: Thomson Delmar Learning Cigarette. (2012). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 2012 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette Zachary Goldstein. (2010). Health & Home (May-June 2010) Vol. 51, #3. The Tobacco Trap Sub-problems: 1. Why do teenagers smoke? 2. What is the incidence of smoking among teenagers? 3. How do teenagers support their smoking habits physically, financially, and socially? 4. What are the behaviors and practices of adolescents on smoking? 5. What are the effects/dangers of smoking on their health? 6. What are the laws that focus on prohibiting teenage smoking? 7. What is the Syntax Bill for? 8. How will teenagers adjust to the cigarette price when the Syntax Bill will be approved? 9. What are the ways on how to reduce/prevent teenage smoking?