By Amir Hamza
Education is a powerful weapon that we can use to change the world. Unfortunately, our educational institutions nowadays are places that play a constant role in spreading the curse of smoking among students. This is not only limited to university students, even college and school students are getting involved in such activities that go beyond a cigarette. A law was passed in the country in 2002 by the federal cabinet in which smoking was banned at all educational institutions. Unfortunately, there is no serious attempt to abide by the law. We can’t stop this catastrophe if strict measures are not taken against it.
Tobacco smoking causes many diseases such as cancer, heart strokes, and emphysema. It is also one of the main causes of lung cancer. Besides that, smokeless tobacco such as sniff can cause mouth cancer. Moreover, tobacco inhaled through vapors also leads to many fatal diseases. Tuberculosis is also caused by tobacco smoking.
Is smoking tobacco and using drugs only a threat to our health? The answer is a resounding NO. Those students, who get involved in using drugs and smoking tobacco, also commit crimes such as robbery, theft, sexual harassment, gambling, and so much more. These people are not affecting their own lives and health rather they are a risk to others. Many people do not smoke but are victims of passive smoking. Those smokers and drug users are involved in street crimes. Nowadays, snatching mobile phones is a common evil. Almost 10 students at the hostel in NUML Islamabad have been robbed at gunpoint since last month. The root of all evil is normalizing smoking and consumption of drugs.
A recent report shows that the majority of chain-smokers are addicted to smoking during their college time. The situation is even worse in that these students do not stop smoking cigarettes only, rather they are involved in using drugs as well. Moreover, a number of females use drugs and smoke in their universities. The report of NGOs claim that almost 50% of university students in Islamabad are addicted to drugs. This is half of the student population. It is alarming because the is only increasing day by day.
There are a number of factors behind this issue. Although smoking tobacco is prohibited in public places and educational institutions, universities are not acting in conformity with the law. The reason is that the administration is not taking strict measures to stop smoking. They do not expel students for violation of this law because of the expenses paid by enrolled students.
Secondly, bad company is another major factor in this regard. When new students join university, they are influenced by their seniors. The main reason is that some students are less mature and the fear of missing out (FOMO) compels them to smoke cigarettes and act cool. Consequently, the number of chain-smokers is increasing at a staggering pace.
Thirdly, our education system is not one that prioritizes learning, instead, it puts the students in an environment equivalent to prison. They are being evaluated on the basis of assignments, quizzes, and presentations that only increase stress because of their inadequate teaching methods. Due to this stress and burden, students claim smoking as as a relaxant to get rid of this anxiety caused by the flaws in our education system, which is based on grades only.
There is no doubt that smoking and using drugs is a social issue. It should be dealt with an iron hand. It is a serious problem in the sense that our educated people are involved in it.
Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking Cessation
The Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking Cessation, released in January 2020, offers evidence that “smoking cessation is beneficial at any age, improves health status and enhances the quality of life. It also reduces the risk of premature death and can add as much as a decade to life expectancy”.
There are many ways to prevent students from the curse of tobacco smoking and the use of drugs. There is no doubt that awareness programs, about the dangers of tobacco and drugs, play an important role in eradicating this evil from society, especially amongst university students. However, we also need some practical steps to stop this increasing addiction. The shops which sell tobacco near educational institutions should be banned. Dealers who provide drugs to universities and hostel students should be treated harshly and should be punished. University administration must point out students involved in drugs – not only expelled from universities but also handed over to the police.
It is not only the responsibility of the government but also the university administration that is equally responsible. Strict measures by universities, as well as the government, should be taken to eradicate this evil of using drugs and smoking or vaping in educational institutions. To achieve maximum effectiveness, university health programs to prevent tobacco use must be carefully planned and systematically implemented. (Edited by Khadijah Kamili)
Also Read: Little boy overcomes smoking habit for healthy lifestyle
