Cool kids who highlight the bad effects of smoking to smokers, can help the latter to quit. This was revealed in a study conducted by British researchers.The study, which was published in Lancet, encouraged students to appoint leaders who can lead smokers to give up smoking. Anti-smoking messages can be spread through them.
This approach was better than the conventional approach of discouraging smoking, and many students were influenced in not initiating smoking.The important observation made by the study, led by Rona Campbell of the University of Bristol, that young people could help each other from becoming addictive to smoking. Peer group pressure also helps in deciding whether to smoke or not. If this is pursued vigorously, more number of young people will avoid smoking.
Smoking is the cause of many preventable deaths and causes cancer, heart disease, strokes etc. It is a health hazard. Both the smoker and non-smoker is affected by it. Second-hand smoke causes many illnesses. Non-smokers are forced to inhale the smoke left out by smokers. Even children are exposed to second-hand smoke.
The study observed nearly 11,000 students aged 12 to 13 in 50 schools across western England and Wales. Out of these schools, 29 schools carried on with the traditional anti-smoking approach. The remaining schools were exposed to the new approach.
Influential students, who could be potential leaders were trained in the risks involved in smoking. Information was imparted about the benefits of quitting smoking. Those children who are already exposed to smoking and are making efforts to give up were selected. In their daily conversations and meetings with other children who were either smokers or potential smokers, these influential children highlighted what they learnt in the training programs.
The results proved significant. Those in the peer group approach were 23% less likely to smoke after one year and 15% less likely after a span of two years as compared to those exposed to the traditional cessation program.
Such efforts prove very beneficial, as preventing the young from being exposed to health hazard risks is a worthwhile exercise. After all, the young are at a greater risk of being exposed to smoking- related diseases as they start smoking early in life.
