Smoking addiction on the rise in teens: UAE doctors explain causes, how to help

Smoking addiction on the rise in teens: UAE doctors explain causes, how to help

More than 50 million adolescents around the world smoke

By SM Ayaz Zakir Published: Mon 30 May 2022, 6:49 PM Last updated: Mon 30 May 2022, 7:11 PM

More than 50 million adolescents between the ages of 13 and 15 smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco products around the world, a study by Tobacco Atlas says.

The study also raises concerns about the increasing rate of younger smokers.

Why do teens smoke?

Dr Gopal Chawla, specialist pulmonology, NMC Hospital, DIP said that social media, peer pressure and a curiosity to try smoking enables teens to try tobacco.

He added that 63 per cent of teen addicts smoke recreationally, 29 per cent of them smoke experimentally. He also said that seven per cent of such smokers don't use conventional cigarettes.

Psychological factors

Dr Lakshmi Saranya, clinical psychologist at Lifeline Modern Family Clinic, said: “Youth is the age of impulsivity and high energy levels and most of them who smoke find it as stress reliever.”

She added that adolescents tend to struggle with a sense of identity, and hence, join their peers in such activities.

Adolescents also deal with poor emotional regulation, she says. This emotional instability makes them more dependent on substances or other addictive behaviour.

Media influence

Arfa Banu Khan, Clinical Psychologist,