–A A +A
Jata
myHealth@2x

WELCOME TO OFFICIAL PORTAL
MYHEALTH MINISTRY OF HEALTH MALAYSIA
  1. Laman Utama
  2. /
  3. TEENAGERS
  4. /
  5. Risk Taking Behaviour
  6. /
  7. Smoking
  8. /
  9. Myths & Facts of...

Myths & Facts of Smoking

Why do your friends smoke?

Personal reasons :

  • Curiosity or wish to try.
  • To prove oneself as (mature) enough to smoke.
  • Low self-esteem.
  • Believe in the myths of smoking.
  • Rebel against authority.

Social reasons :

  • Thinking it’s cool to smoke.
  • Pressure from friends.
  • Challenge from friends to smoke.
  • Modeling after parents/guardians or relatives who smoke.
  • Modeling after popular idols who smoke.

Environmental reasons :

  • Media influence (e.g. advertisements).
  • Easily obtained.

Myths and facts of smoking

Myths
Facts
  • Smoking is not as dangerous as some people say.
  • Most health experts agree that cigarette smoking is one of the most serious causes of death and disability in Malaysia.
  • It is easy to quit smoking.
  • Most people are unsuccessful at quitting smoking, even though half of all smokers have tried to quit at least once.
  • The bad effects of smoking is not something you will have to worry about until you are older.
  • Smoking is something that hurts you now.
  • It hurts you physically by :
    • Decreasing your ability to perform strenuous activity.
    • Increasing carbon monoxide levels in your body.
    • Causing you to smell like smoke.
    • Costing over RM 500 a year if you smoke 40 cigarettes a week.
  • Smoking means you are grown up.
  • Teenagers who do not smoke have been found to be more matured.
  • Smoking gets you friends.
  • Teenagers who do not smoke have more friends because most teenagers do not smoke.
  • Smoking gives you inspiration.
  • Many teenagers who smoke tend to get involved in negative activities that are dangerous and unlawful.
  • Smoking is cool and sophisticated.
  • Smoking has become socially less acceptable and it has been banned in most public places in Malaysia. Smoking also promotes ageing. Skin becomes less elastic, more wrinkly and saggy.
  • Cigars are safer than cigarettes.
  • Cigars have no filter, which increases the risk of negative health effects, even if it is not inhaled into the lungs.
  • Smokeless tobacco is safer.
  • Smokeless tobacco is tobacco that is chewed, inhaled or sucked. It still increases risk of mouth and throat cancer.
  • Light cigarettes are safe
  • Lights as just as dangerous.

 

 

Last Reviewed : 27 April 2012
Content Writer : Dr. Nor Saleha bt. Ibrahim Tamin
Prof. Madya Dr. Alvin Ng Lai Oon
Prof. Madya Dr. Foong Kin
Reviewer : Dr. Salmiah bt. Md. Sharif
: Dr. Wan Fadhilah bt. Wan Ismail

 

Related Article

Gonorrhoea

Gonorrhoea is a sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoea. This bacteria can spread from one person to another via vaginal, anal or oral sex even when the infected person has no symptoms.

MyGOV
MyGOV
KKM
KKM
INFO SIHAT
INFO SIHAT
MAMPU
MAMPU
MSC
MSC

ADDRESS

Bahagian Pendidikan Kesihatan,
Kementerian Kesihatan Malaysia,
Aras 1-3, Blok E10, Kompleks E,
Kompleks Pentadbiran Kerajaan Persekutuan,
62590 Putrajaya, Malaysia.

GENERAL LINE :   +603 8000 8000

FAX :   +603 8888 6200

EMAIL :   myhealth@moh.gov.my

VISITORS : 229,803,948

LAST UPDATE :
2024-11-19 10:36:13
FOLLOW US
Facebook Twitter Youtube Instagram Tiktok Telegram

BEST VIEW   Best viewed with Internet Explorer 10 and above, Mozilla Firefox 40 above, or Google Chrome 40 and above or Safari 4 and above with minimum resolution at 1366 x 768

Copyright ©2005-2022 Health Online Unit, Ministry of Health Malaysia

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Security Policy | User Guide