The Effects of Tobacco Misuse Among University Students in UK (Research Paper Sample)

A Report on Effects of Smoking Among University Students Presented to The University’s Wellbeing Team
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Table of Contents TOC \o "1-7" \h \z \u 1.0 A review of the empirical evidence PAGEREF _Toc101249230 \h 32.0 Critical Literature review on psychological factors related to tobacco smoking by university students PAGEREF _Toc101249231 \h 33.0 Prevention Strategies PAGEREF _Toc101249232 \h 53. 20 Treatment strategies. PAGEREF _Toc101249233 \h 64.20 Critical analysis of prevention and treatment based on evidence PAGEREF _Toc101249234 \h 8Reference PAGEREF _Toc101249235 \h 9
1.0 A review of the empirical evidence
1.1 The nature of misuse of tobacco misuse by university students.
A large number of university students in the UK are aged between 17 and 30 years which is a young period in which smokers transition from intention to regular smokers and eventually to addiction (Bartington et al.,2020). In this age, the government and other stakeholders can maximize the efforts to reduce the rate of addiction and smoking before the behavior turns to irreversible behavior of addiction. There is limited information about contemporary smoking trends and levels of support for different tobacco control policies among university and college campus settings students in the UK. The most prevalent form of smoking among university students is waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) where charcoal is used to heat a honey tobacco mix which then passes through a body of water before being inhaled via a long hose. The reason behind this increased use of WTS is that users perceive this product to be entertaining, relaxing, attractive, and socially acceptable by society resulting in reduced-harm perception. A large proportion of smokers tend to associate their smoking behavior with relieving stress or leisure; however, the real reason is that they have become dependent on nicotine (Peckham et al., 2019). The main indicator of nicotine dependence is that many users experience withdrawal when they finally decide to abstain from smoking for some time (Aboaziza & Eissenberg, 2015).
1.2 The extent
The rising use of WTS by young people and particularly university students led to the decision by the World Health Organization (WHO) to declare WTS as a growing health concern in 2015 (Arshad et al.,2019). Stopping smoking behavior in this early stage of life has several health benefits, for example, the user can reduce the high risk of contracting Lung cancer. According to statistics by public health Egland (2019), 14.1% which is the equivalent of 6.9 million people adults in the UK are smokers, however, this percentage is a decline from 2018 when the percentage was 14.7%. The report also indicates that the prevalence of smoking has generally declined consistently from 2011 to 2019 where the largest decline has been in the age between 18 and 24 years which indicates that the youth are increasingly abandoning smoking. Additionally, educated people and in particular the graduates have the lowest smoking prevalence 7.3% than those without any academic qualifications whose prevalence stood at 29.1%. There is little information about smoking and nicotine dependence among university students in the UK due to little involvement in national surveys.
2.0 Critical Literature review on psychological factors related to tobacco smoking by university students
According to a statistic by the World health organization, it is estimated that tobacco use kills half of its users where more than 8 million people every year and more than 7 million deaths are as a result of first-hand smoking while the rest is as a result of exposure to cigarette smoke. This means that every level of exposure to nicotine smoke is as equally dangerous to the health of a human being. The most prevalent deaths caused by smoking include but are not limited to the following; heart attack complications, different kinds of cancers, pulmonary diseases, preterm deaths and miscarriages, and asthma (WHO, 2021). In the UK, tobacco smoking is a major cause of preventable disease and premature mortality in the UK is responsible for approximately 78,000 premature deaths each year. Many countries have instituted the World Health Organization Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) in 2005 which advocates for smoking-free legislative policies which are intended to prohibit smoking in workplaces, public places, and institutions which has resulted in a significant decline in health-related complications like heart problems and consequent deaths as a result of smoking. The UK is an exemption from these regulations because the existing laws prohibit the behavior of outdoor smoking neither in tertiary institutions of learning nor public places. Over and above the serious and deadly health complications of smoking tobacco among university students and the general public, other psychological disorders arise from nicotine use and consequent dependence which include; depression, withdrawal symptoms, memory damage, and negative emotion.
2.1Depression and anxiety
These are among the major mental health challenges facing university students across the world. Research has shown that depression among university students can highly be attributed to smoking, financial, academic, and social stressors (Millic et al, 2020). Depression is a highly neglected mental illness that can hurt the overall quality of life moreover it can reduce the life span of a human being. The performance of depressed students is also very poor and can lead to dropouts from the university. According to the World Health Organization, (2016), depression is one of the main causes of disability in Europe affecting 9% and 17% of men and women respectively.
2.2 Negative emotions
A negative attitude developed due to different reasons makes a smoker feel miserable or less valuable. According to the coping strategy theory, many smokers use it as a strategy to fight against negative attitudes (Flannery, 2002). For example, smokers whose cessation efforts were unsuccessful in the past feel defeated and therefore continue smoking to forget it (Hitsman et al, 2013). Additionally, negative emotions can be a result of stress from the daily activities of an individual, and psychological trauma which may cause continuing distress in victims who do not receive adequate care Flannery, 2002). Statistics have also shown that the smoking rate is higher among the low earning population due to the pressure to earn an extra coin (Torre et al.,2016).
2.3 Memory damage
Research has shown that exposure to cigarette smoke damages the neurological ability of a student to think logically which is a prerequisite for learning in a university. This could be a result of the harmful cigarette smoke components like hydrogen cyanide (Liu et al., 2013); This could result in the inability to pass exams and consequent school dropouts. A smoker has a thinner cerebral cortex than those who do not smoke which makes them possess little ability to learn (Jergenson et al.,2015).
2.4 Withdrawal symptoms
This happens when a smoker discontinues smoking abruptly, they experience psychological distress, for example, the desire to smoke, feeling of anxiety, troubled sleeping, and feeling irritated about anything they come across. This is an indication of addiction to nicotine and cigarettes. In some cases, smokers can quit smoking with minimum assistance and support however, many smokers find it difficult to cope with the feeling and they end up recycling into smoking
3.0 Prevention Strategies.
Considering these harmful effects of smoking, the universities through their student well-being committee have a responsibility to establish measures to reduce smoking among students in their respective universities.
3.11 University tobacco control policies
Universities provide a great setting for primary and secondary smoking prevention and smoking abandonment efforts targeting the youths (Glassman et al,2011). The well-being committee should implement a strong smoke-free policy on the campuses to reduce smoking among the university students (Fallin et al,2013). The anti-smoking policy should include the total burning of smoking in the university set up through restrictions prohibiting the sale, promotion, or handling of cigarettes in the university establishment or designation of specific smoking zones. They also should make a step to enforce the policies by ensuring that the policy is followed and to those who do not comply with policies face penalties. In addition, an anti-smoking policy may be introduced as part of university coursework so that all the students can be aware of the harmful effects of smoking.
3.12 Discouraging both indoor and outdoor smoking.
The university should restrict the usage of tobacco in campus halls and dormitories, and prevent tobacco sales and distribution on the campus (Berg et al, 2011). Moreover, the restriction on both indoor and outdoor smoking will help reduce smoking among students since their self-esteem in smoking will be lowered. Also, for them to smoke they will face a challenge in looking for a hideout to smoke hence they might stop smoking. In addition, reducing the prevalence of smoking among students by banning outdoor and indoor will also go in the way to reducing litter, and chances of fire outbreaks and enhance student retention at the university.
3.13 Anti-smoking campaign.
These campaigns are very effective in the reduction of smoking in the university and among the general public. In addition, Anti-smoking campaigns play a major role in the strengthening of smoking-free policies (Kumari, et al,2021). Un...