Ill habits of smoking, alcohol: Whither youngsters going?

Youngsters, be it a boy or a girl, has been rampantly found involved in the habit of smoking and drinking. There are some eating joints in the city which come up with various offers and youngsters are more in the list of beneficiaries, unfortunately. Of course, these so-called habitual youngsters do not pursue their habits only in these joints. Their area, too, has widened. One can notice them on roadside, in lanes of many parts of Civil Lines, Dhantoli, Tilak Nagar, Ram Nagar, Ambazari to name a few. One can imagine where the habits are taking them. These ill-habits have multiple dimensions. These habits are hazardous not only to health but also to the society.

‘The Hitavada’ has been writing on this issue to sensitise youngsters and their parents too. To know views and the suggestions so that this social evil would die, ‘The Hitavada’ talked to doctors, professionals, teachers, youngsters. They all expressed their opinions, they regretted about its rising trend, they suggested some ways. Dr Prashant Nikhade, past President of Indian Medical Association, attributed reasons of these ill-habits to the lacunae in upbringing, nuclear families, both working parents, stress of failure in achieving some set milestones.

“Basically, this generation wants immediate returns from whatever they do. They have less inhibitions, initial curiosity, blind following of western culture leading to addictions and a pseudo sense of status symbol might be some other factors. They don’t realise the ill effects of these and fall prey to these bad habits jeopardising their healthy youth. Easy availability of tobacco, alcohol and accessible places have made the matter worst,” regretted Dr Nikhade. According to Dr Nikhade, making them aware about the nuances of consumption of these habit forming things, counselling to get rid of, control over easy accessibility, healthy family environment can help.

Dr Darshan Dakshindas who is a teacher in Government Dental College and Hospital (GDCH) said, “… And there will be those who will continue to drink even after Swaraj is established. Those must be tackled after Swaraj - Mahatma Gandhi (15/10/1924). Little did these revered freedom fighters knew that true Swaraj is not just achieving political independence from the British Raj but it is achieved through the all-round consciousness of the masses. Today it is appalling to see many boys and girls getting addicted to ill-habits which is a common observation at any food joint in the city to see teenagers enjoying these vices without a sense of fear or remorse. Generalised affluence in the society, lack of parental monitoring, mistaken belief of ‘having fun’, influence of movies, attraction and exposure to western culture, mis-information via social media, peer pressure, ease of availability and no specific goals in life can be few reasons that attract these youngsters towards these wrongdoings.” Dr Sapna Sharma, Counselor, Speaker and Author feels parents have to meet their children at least midway. That way they are at least on the same talking turf and reasoning can be possible.

Totally shunning the new era would only push the youngsters further away. “With the changing life patterns, giving in to vices has become new fashion statement. Interestingly they are not considered to be vices any more. ‘Everyone drinks’ and ‘weed is not a drug’ are statements thrown on already flabbergasted parents. Good? Bad? Who decides? Movies and tele-serials show this is the way to live and those who may want to stay out are shown to be the ‘uncool’ ones. What is right?” asks Dr Sharma. “Meeting midway doesn’t mean participating or permitting. It is simply about trying to understand why they are doing it and when you understand they are willing to listen to some reasons too.

We can’t deny the fact that we are at a very unique time zone when everything seems to be slipping away faster than sand from the fist. Love can be a solution, companionship can give them better reasons to live and encouragement instead of criticism can want them to work for a better life,” added Dr Sharma Dr Chandrashekhar Meshram, well-known Neurologist always saddened to see alcohol consumption and smoking is on the rise in youngsters, mainly girls. Dr Meshram explained its health issues, “Use of alcohol has doubled in last 10 years. Party culture is responsible for such things.

Bigger concern is, such habits do not remain limited to smoking and alcohol but culminate in the use of more dangerous drugs. Acute ill effects are emotional disturbances, impaired decision making resulting in road side accidents. Incidence of brain diseases like migraine, epilepsy, stroke and dementia are seen in younger age groups due to smoking and alcohol. It also disturbs the interpersonal relationship and environment in the family.” Ritu Malhotra, a young entrepreneur, Co-founder of Ezy Spit said, “Smoking and alcohol drinking decreases teens’ ability to pay attention. Teens who have experienced smoking and alcohol withdrawal tend to have difficulties with memory and teenage brain exposed to alcohol is at risk for being smaller in certain parts.

Each year, almost 2,000 people under the age of 21 die in car crashes in which underage drinking is involved. Alcohol is involved in nearly half of all violent deaths involving youth.” Shikha Khare, Centre Director, Aptech Aviation Academy always tries to guide youngsters on not falling prey to ill-habits. “Smoking and drinking alcohol has become a fad among teenagers including both males and females. Being a teacher, I am surrounded by teenagers, I personally guide students to quit such bad habits as it takes a toll on their health,” informed Shikha Khare. According to Dr Sangeeta Arora, well-known Dentist, “Habits come from their biggest influencers including parents, care-takers and the company they keep.

The moment children step out of home once they start going to college or start partying late night, or go unaccompanied to events, every parent starts getting anxious-- what if he or she gets under bad influence and starts smoking, drinking or gets into drugs?” expressed Dr Arora. Dr Arora elaborated, “Even the teenagers know the ill effects or hazards of smoking and alcohol, the beginner thinks he or she will never reach that stage and never become an addict. A beginner would hate imagining herself/himself in that stage. But it is a trap! However cool these activities seem to be tried as a part of growing up.” “Prevention is better than cure and parents, schools can play important role. Parents should inculcate and drill values in a child so much so that the child is head strong and can differentiate between right and wrong. There should be more emphasis on physical education or sports by schools where a child can release his/her pent up energy.

Teachers should definitely keep a close check on changed behaviour of adolescents and report it to the concerned person,” suggested Dr Arora. Shreejita Shridhar, a young enthusiastic writer is surprised over the inclination of today’s youngsters towards these useless things. “It is shocking that at times it happens that they start judging the people who don’t drink or smoke as if they belong to some different world. One must be aware that no one indulges in these habits with a purpose of getting addicted to them, it happens eventually no matter how occasionally one does it. It has definitely ruined lives and it all started with one peg and a cigarrete,” said Shreejita. Dr Atul Rewatkar, Vascular and Interventional Radiologist put a very unique point. “Though it begins with curiosity, easy availability of these stuff make it regular and then they get addicted. These habits in adolescents have deep impact on physical, mental health and overall performance. Knowing all the health hazards to curb this menace, we have to strictly control the ready availability of these things. Parents should be the role model for them,” urged Dr Rewatkar. Aishwarya Verma, a youngster, writer who always helps poor children and teaches them feels pain in heart when she sees boys and girls becoming addicted to smoking or alcohol. “Peer pressure, adaptation of foreign culture, lack of parental care, a child’s sensitivity is not enough. A survey in Australia says ‘Regular teenage smokers are almost twice as likely as occasional ones to report high levels of depression and anxiety and the use of smoking by teenagers girls as self-medication for the same is a big concern’. Liquor stores and cigarettes in pan shops, tea stalls are more than the medical stores in India. It is unfortunate,” regretted Aishwarya.

Dr Darshan Dakshindas advised such young smokers, “As a doctor I would like to tell them that there is no medical or pharmacological book or authentic study which advocates the consumption of any of these addictive substances in any small or large doses. I would appeal all youngsters to get dependent on their sharp intellect, enjoy pleasure by engaging with nature and have craving for sports. Their vibrancy and vitality will surely solve all the problems they might face in their life. Chemicals like alcohol and tobacco will slowly dissolve families, jobs, friendships, bank accounts, marriages, neurons….except their problems.”