I.

INTRODUCTION

We typically see in packs of cigarettes the words, Warning: Cigarette Smoking is

Dangerous to your Health. This only means that using cigarettes is dangerous and if you really
want to use it, it should be in minimal amount only. But despite this warning, there are still
countless people who are addicted to cigarette smoking. In fact, out of all the vices a person
could have, cigarette smoking is the most widespread of all, especially in our country. Every
corner, every street, we see people smoking nonchalantly. Even the famous celebrities, political
figures, and influential people are seen smoking, too and it is also because of media that we see
these things. Because of the nationwide habit of smoking in our society, it wouldnt be a surprise
if also our teenagers are already engaging in smoking vice.
Teenage smoking is considered as one of those issues that is currently debatable and is on
the governments radar as they are still trying to find solutions to eliminate teenage smoking. The
number of teenagers engaging in smoking is still rapidly doubling, and with the fast
modernization of our society, the problem is nowhere near extinction.
It is said that in the Philippines, teenagers began smoking at an early age of 7.
17.5% of the Philippine population of minors between the age of 13-15 are
smokers. (Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) [database on the
Internet].

Philippines - National 2007. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control

and Prevention.

c2009 [cited 2009 August 17].

The prevalence of smoking is truly visible in our modern time and place that even our
youngsters are now doing it also. About the worsening issue of teenage smoking, what are the
effects, both physical and social, that is associated with this vice?
II. OBJECTIVES

This term paper aims to know or discover the effects of smoking in teenagers physically
and socially. This paper also aimed to discover the reasons why these teenagers started engaging
in cigarette smoking at an early age and how cigarette smoking dramatically changed their lives.
Included also is some ways to stop teenagers in their smoking.

III. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study is important because it focuses on the problem that is prevalent in our society,
is still an issue debated at the government, and is still without proper solution.
This study is not only important to the researchers but also to the teenagers in our society.
This study will give them an idea how cigarette smoking at a young age will affect their physical
conditions and their lives. Also, this study will help the parents all around to discipline and guide
their children to stop smoking or avoid smoking.

IV. SCOPE AND DELIMITATION OF THE STUDY

This study focuses only on the effects of smoking on the physical condition and social
status of teenagers at the City of Bais. Herein is also information about the reasons why these
teens started engaging in cigarette smoking.

V. DEFINITION OF TERMS

Smoking- the act of inhaling burning tobacco fumes of cigarettes, cigar s, and pipes

Cigarette- a cylindrical roll of shredded tobacco leaves for smoking, with an outer covering of
thin, usually white, paper

Nicotine- one of the main ingredients of a cigarette that causes addicting sensation while
smoking and could poison a persons nervous system

Tar- ingredient in cigarettes that causes

Cancer- the illness or condition that is caused by the presence of a malignant tumor

VI. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

According to the World Health Organization, almost half of the teenage population in the
Philippines, particularly between the ages of 7-15, is taking pleasure in cigarette smoking.
Theyre a portion of the estimated 40,000 to 50,000 Asian teenagers that engages in cigarette
smoking at an early age due to lack of laws pertaining the banning of tobacco and the endless
propagandas and promotions about it in our country. As a matter of fact, one out of three middleaged men dies because of cigarette smoking. It is foreseen that in the next couple of months, the
numbers will rise due to the epidemic cigarette smoking of teens in the Philippines.
[World

Health

Organization.

Site

visited

on

February

23,

2014--

http://www.wpro.who.int/media_centre/fact_sheets/fs_20050528.htm]
Here are some statistics and information about teenage smoking in
the Philippines:

20% of Philippine teenagers are starting to smoke at age 10 below.

[Miguel-Baquilod, M., NEC, 2001]

Almost 40% of teenage boys are smokers. [WHO, 2002]

4 out of 10 students with ages 13-15 are smokers. [Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality
Weekly Report, 2003, pg.94-97]

Teenage boys are more likely to engage in smoking than girls.

[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report, 2003, pg.94-97]

62% of teenage Filipinos are being introduced to cigarettes in

stores. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report, 2003, pg.94-97]

One out of 8 students with ages 13-15 started smoking before the
age of 10. [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity
and Mortality Weekly Report, 2003, pg.94-97]

Children born into a family of smokers are more likely to develop

habit of smoking while growing up. (FCAP)

Children that have close family bonds are less likely to develop
smoking habits. (Teen Tobacco Epidemic in Asia, 2004)

Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo approved the Tobacco Regulation Act of

2003 (RA 9211) 2003 (RA 9211) that aims to protect the Filipino citizens from the harmful
effects of cigarette smoking. Under this law, cigarette smoking is prohibited at all public places
such as schools, hospitals, terminals, restaurants, etc. Selling of cigarette sticks at stores and
small stalls near schools and other educational institutions is also prohibited to avoid the use of
cigarettes by minors. Cigarette manufacturing companies are also required to label their cigarette
packs with a health warning. Since 2007, advertisements concerning cigarettes are already

banned from being banned from media. According to the Malacaang Palace, Philippines is the
first-ever country to heed the call of the World Health Organization to regulate the use of
products containing nicotine.
[http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Batas_Republika_9211] [Translated]

There are 4 million Filipino teenagers between the ages 11-19 are already smokers,
according to the merged studies of Department of Health (DOH) and World Health Organization
(WHO). Based on the study titled Global Youth Tobacco Survey, approximately 60 percent or
2.7 million among the number of teenage smokers are of the male gender while 1.4 million are of
the female gender. The study also shows that 8 out of 10 respondents started engaging in
cigarette smoking because of the advertisements they see on television starting 2007. Dr. Maricar
Limpin, executive director of Framework on Tobacco Control of the Philippines Alliance,
warned that the number of teenage smokers will keep on increasing unless cigarette propagandas
and advertisements will be banned. According to Limpin, on 2005, the percentage of teenage
smokers is only 17-18 percent. And on 2007, the percentage increased to 23%.
[http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=434490]

VII. METHODOLOGY
The information and data in this study are taken from sources like books, internet, and the
survey conducted.
For the survey I conducted, I decided to use the Descriptive Survey Research Design,
which uses survey questionnaires as the means for collecting data. I chose this kind of survey
method for this study for it would be most efficient for collecting data from the respondents in a
minimal amount of time.
For the participants or respondents of this study, there are ten (10) teenagers and high
school students that are residing in Bais City. I chose the respondents because they are
approachable and the most effective ones to be extracted data from.

VIII. RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

The respondents of this study are teenage smokers that are currently in high school.
GENDER
Male
Male
Female
Female
Male
Female
Female

AGE
15
16
16
16
17
17
18

AGE THEY STARTED TO SMOKE

15
12
10
14
14
15
14
7

Male
Male
Male

18
19
20

16
16
16

a.) Reasons Why Teenagers Started Smoking

A person would not be engaged in vices right here and there without something that
would trigger it. There are things that become the reason why people suddenly engage in things,
or in this case, why these teenagers began smoking at such an early age.
Question: What triggered your smoking vice/habit?
ANSWERS:
NUMBER OF RESPONSES
Peer Pressure
10
Influence of family members
1
Curiosity
1
Depression or problems
4
Based on the data presented at the table above, all the respondents answered peer
pressure. It just means that these teenage smokers began smoking because of peer pressure or
influences of their cliques, friends, or people they usually hangout with. These youngsters are
tempted to start smoking because of the want and need to be accepted by the society and to feel
the sense of belonging. He/she feels the need to smoke because his/her friends are doing the
same too and if he doesnt do what theyre doing, he/she is afraid to be shoved away from the
group. The second reason is because of depression or because of the problems they face
wherein a child starts to smoke because he/she believes that all the problems, difficulties, and
extreme sadness he/she are facing and feeling will eventually go away. These children used
cigarette smoking as a way to feel relaxation and freedom. The last reason why these children

engaged in smoking is because they are influenced by their family members who are smokers.
Curiosity would enter as these children would wonder why their family members are smoking.
b.) Effects of Cigarette Smoking on Teenagers

Physical Condition
Question: How many cigarette sticks do/can you use per day?
ANSWERS:
NUMBER OF RESPONSES
1-3
6
4-7
1
8-10
1
10 above
2

For teenagers that just started smoking, they start by using a few amounts of cigarette
sticks per day. But as their body is getting used to the smoking, the amount of cigarette sticks
gradually increases. And the effects of cigarette smoking would become more visible in these
young smokers physical bodies.
A single stick of tobacco contains hundreds of different chemicals that are also
common ingredients of household products which we use every day such
as in the
chemicals

form of insecticides (Nicotine), used in poisons (Arsenic), and other

that cause cancer (Tar).
[BloodIndex. Site visited on February 23, 2014-http://www.bloodindex.org/content_cigarette.php]

In one question included in this survey that states Do you want to stop smoking? 9 put
of 10 respondents answered YES. One respondent said, I want to stop smoking because I know
that cigarette smoking is dangerous and would cause bad things to my body. Then there is the
question, Are you having difficulties stopping yourself from smoking? wherein 7 respondents
9

answered YES bearing a common reason that states Cigarette smoking is delicious especially
during mornings and because once you get used to it, restraining yourselves from smoking
becomes the most difficult thing. And for the remaining three respondents that answered NO,
there is a reason Im fond of. She quoted Cigarette smoking is really a hard habit to break but if
I really want to, I could control my smoking by using the money to buy candies, instead of
cigarette sticks.
A Cigarette stick contains the chemical nicotine that is one of the main
ingredients of a cigarette that causes addicting sensation while
smoking

and could poison a persons nervous system.

[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette]

One of the effects of cigarette smoking on a persons body that one of the respondents had
experienced is the blackening of her mouth. This is because of the ingredient Tar which is the
reason for the color change in the mouth of regular smokers. The respondents also said that
ever since they started smoking, their bodys resistance to sickness weakens and they find it
difficult to do things, especially strenuous ones.
Majority of the chemicals found in cigarettes are called irritants. These
destroy the cilia or filter of the respiratory system until there comes
a

point when the system loses its ability to purify the air that enters

the lungs.

This is the reason why the smoker experiences extreme cough,

breathing

difficulties, destruction of lungs......

[Ahluwalia, J., Resnicow, K., Clark, W. (1998). Ethnicity and Disease
Journal: Article: pp.385-393, Volume 8, Issue 3 (October 1998)]
10

These are just some of the countless harmful effects of smoking to a teenagers physical
condition. Other effects that are associated with cigarette smoking are dramatic increase in
blood pressure, cataracts, lung cancer, mouth cancer, throat cancer, ovarian cancer, etc. Even
though the effects of smoking are the same in every smokers body, the effects are more
intense and dangerous to teenagers since their bodies are still not mature enough.

Social Status

Any one of us wants to truly belong to the society we are in, especially us teenagers
which make fitting in a priority. But, how can cigarette smoking affect the interaction of these
youngsters to other people?
One of the respondents, Every time I smoke, I feel so light, so free. Its almost as I can
do everything. Because of this, it is unavoidable that a teenage smoker could not care less about
what he/she does. That is why many of these teenage smokers, if not always, are often involved
in fights. They also learn to cut class. Also, their respect for elders and authorities shriveled down
and now they have the courage to talk back to their parents.
One of the reasons that this teenage rebellions happen is because majority of the parents
doesnt know that their children are already smoking. One of the questions in the survey goes
Do your parents know about you smoking? only 3 of the respondents have parents that know
the status of their children. But even if they know, they still cant give proper guidance to their
children to stop smoking. Even by hook or by crook, they cant seem to stop their children from
smoking. Time would pass by and they would already become immune to their childrens
smoking. Meanwhile, the 7 respondents whose parents doesnt know about their smoking
unanimously says that they have no intentions of telling their parents because if their parents will
11

know, they would be scold, would be forced to stop school, or be tortured by them. Once
teenagers started smoking, they started to develop fear of facing their parents and telling them
that their children are smoking.
For the question, Do you know the effects of cigarette smoking? all of them answered
YES. These teenagers have had ideas about what would happen to them because of their
smoking. The only problem is they have become really attached and addicted to smoking thats
why they find it a struggle to stop it. They said that their parents cannot majorly help them and
there are no other people that are helping them in regards with their smoking problems. The
longer the time they spent smoking, the more their bodies become more immune. And because of
this immunity, their bodies could no longer feel the major damages smoking had brought to
them, physically and socially. And little did they know, they are slowly killing themselves
subconsciously and it will be too late.

IX. CONCLUSION
At the end of this term paper, the researcher therefore conclude the following:
first, our society today is a witness that the number of teenage smokers are gradually increasing
day by day and teenagers who smoke starts at a more younger age; second, peer pressure is the
main reason why these teenagers started smoking and coming in second is because they
experiences depression or great difficulties, next is because of family, and lastly is because of
curiosity; third, the effects of smoking that adults are experiencing are also experienced by
these teenage smokers. The bodies of teenage smokers are becoming weaker and weaker and
are experiencing health complications and they find it hard to do strenuous works. Also, the

12

way they treat the people around them also changes. They are often involved in fights and
rumbles. Their smoking has also greatly affected their studies. Majority of these childrens
parents doesnt know about their smoking and that is why these children are not well-guided.
The problem of teenage smoking is worsening through time and up until now, there is still no
solution to this bothersome problem.

X. RECOMMENDATIONS

As what they say, Bad habits die hard. And that is probably what these young smokers
are experiencing. They are having difficulties controlling or stopping themselves from
smoking. But, there are simple things that these teens could practice every day to stop their
smoking and minimize the harmful effects smoking has brought to them. First, the researcher
recommends strict guidance from parents to their children especially since they are still young
and they could still change, and also, young smokers should start telling their parents about
their smoking so that they could help you and discipline you well. Second, instead of buying
cigarette sticks, it is better to use your allowance to buy food or to just save the money. Not
only you could save money, youre also safe. Third, participate and be active in school clubs or
organizations so that you could divert your priority from smoking to school works and
activities. You could also take interest in sports or other activities for physical fitness. Fourth,
prevent or restrain yourselves from watching smoking and cigarette advertisements in
televisions to avoid temptation and so that youll get used to a smoke-free life and join
counseling about avoiding smoking. Lastly, choose your friends well. Make sure that the

13

people you hang out with are a good example or role model to you that could also help you
with your smoking problems.
In all honesty, its not that hard to stop smoking. All you need is right self-discipline and
proper guidance from parents, professionals like doctors, and our Father Almighty. Also, always
bear in mind that our body is the temple of God and whatever we do to it is what we also do to
Him. Cigarette smoking which ruins our body also ruins our relationship with God. If you
continue your vice of smoking and it will worsen, you are already destroying your body and life
big time. That is why since you are still young and changing for the better is still a big
possibility, stop cigarette smoking right now.

14

XI. APPENDIX
Survey Questionnaire (Set A)

Name
(optional):_______________________
_____

________________________________________

________________________________________________

________
Gender: _____________ Age: _______________
Are you having difficulties stopping yourself from
smoking?
Please answer the questions below.
__________ YES __________ NO

If YES, why?
How old were you when you started smoking?____
________________________________
What triggered your smoking vice/habit? Please
________________
put a check on your answer/s.

________________________________

_______Peer Pressure/Influence of
________________________________
friends
________________________________

_______Influence of family

If NO, why?
members

_______ Curiosity
________________________________

_______Depression or problems
________________

OTHER REASONS: (please state

________________________________
reason)
________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

________________________________

Do you know the effects of cigarette smoking?

________________________________
________________

How many cigarette sticks do/can you use per day?

Please put a check on your answer.

__________ 1-3
__________ 8-10
__________ 4-7
__________ 10 above

Do you want to stop smoking?

__________ YES __________ NO

If YES, why?
________________________________________________

________________________________________
________________________________________________
________

If NO, why?
________________________________________________

15

__________ YES
__________ NO
What are the changes you had noticed in your body
and social status ever since you started smoking?
Please put a check on your answer/s.

__________ Had experienced health

complications

__________ Feels lighter, free, and

relaxed

__________ Always ends up in

troubles and fights

__________ Grades gradually

lowered down

__________ Became more active in

activities

__________ Treated family members

and peers badly

__________ Having difficulties

doing work and easily
weakens

OTHER REASONS: (please state)

________________________________
________________
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________

____________________________________________
____

If NO, do you have plans on letting them know?

________ YES __________NO

WHY?

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

---------------------------------------------------------------

________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____

Survey Questionnaire (Set B)

________________________________________

Name
(optional):_______________________
_____

Gender:_____________ Age: _______________

Please answer the questions below.

Do your parents know about you smoking?

__________ YES __________ NO

If YES, how did they take it?

____________________________________________

Who are the people who helped you with your

smoking problems? In what ways did they help
you?

__________________________
_____________
__________________________
__________________________
__________________________

16

THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

XII. Bibliography

BOOKS:

Ahluwalia, J., Resnicow, K., Clark, W. (1998). Ethnicity and Disease Journal: Article:

pp.385-393, Volume 8, Issue 3 (October 1998).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morbidity and Mortality Weekly

Report, 2003, pg.94-97

Random House Reference, Random House Websters Handy American
Dictionary, Second Edition, New York, NY, U.S.A : Random House, Inc., 2001

INTERNET:

(Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) [database on the Internet]. Philippines - National
2007. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention.

c2009

[cited

2009

23,

2014

August 17]. http:// www.census.gov.ph

BloodIndex. http://www.bloodindex.org/content_cigarette.php

[World

Health

Organization.

Site

visited

on

February

--http://www.wpro.who.int/media_centre/fact_sheets/fs_20050528.htm]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cigarette

http://fil.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Batas_Republika_9211

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=434490