投稿類別:英文寫作類
篇名:
Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
作者：
劉逸夫。國立草屯商工。應用外語科 三年 1 班。
黃泓諭。國立草屯商工。應用外語科 三年 1 班。
蔡和諺。國立草屯商工。應用外語科 三年 1 班。
指導老師：
廖慧雯老師
Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
I. Introduction
I.1. The Motivation and background of the study
It is found that more and more teenagers are addicted to smoking or cigarette
nowadays in Taiwan. In the past, smoking was deemed as an evil behavior. In modern
times, it has become a symbol of teenager’s rebellion against tradition. Although we
are non-smoking teenagers, some of our family members are heavy smokers. Take
two of our family members for example. Long addicted to smoking, both of them are
in bad conditions of health. The color of their eyes turns into light yellow. What’s
terrible is that one of them looks emaciated because of his smoking addiction. Based
on the above two examples, we are sure that smoking leads to negative effects on
health. In addition to the household members, some of our friends have tried smoking.
As they describe, smoking not only makes them feel like adults, but also brings them
lots of fun. Most of them perform poorly in the study. Since all of our group members
hate the bad smell of smoking, we stay away from those addicted to smoking. It is
generally believed that some teenagers try smoking out of curiosity or under peer
pressure. In this project, we will look into the cause and effect of smoking addiction.
Also, our focus will be on teenagers’ opinions about smoking.
I.2. The purpose of the study
This study aims to analyze teens smoking problems and acquire the information
we need via questionnaire. First, we’ll collect sufficient data to analyze the cause and
effect of smoking addiction. Second, we’ll explore why teens are addicted to smoking.
We are especially curious about how teens get the cigarette. In the last part of the
analysis, we’ll focus on the influence of smoking on teens. The issues of health and
human relationship will be of vital importance in the discussion. With data analysis,
we hope to understand Taiwan teenagers’ smoking behaviors in a hope to create a
non-smoking environment.
I.3. Research Questions
1. What is the current situation of teen smokers in Taiwan?
2. Why do teenagers smoke?
3. What’s the influence of smoking on teenagers?
Ⅱ. Methods
Ⅱ.1. Participants
In the study, we recruited students in senior high in Cao Tun (草屯商工). Most
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Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
of the students invited to finish the questionnaires are studying in night school and the
others are in day school. We gave out totally 50 questionnaires. For our participants,
both male and female students were included, but male are much more than female.
The students in night school are more likely to smoke than those in day school, so we
chose them to take part in the survey. Then, the result of the questionnaires could be
discussed in the following section.
Ⅱ.2. Instruments
We designed a questionnaire so as to know why many teenagers are addicted to
smoking and where they get cigarette. We want to explore the condition of the teen
smoking. First, we need to know background information of teen’s age, gender and so
on. Second, we designed 12 close-ended questions about teen smoking. Questions
(1~3) inquire what is the situation of smokers. Questions (4~5) inquire the place
where they buy cigarette and if they have ever been rejected. Questions (6~7) inquire
the effect and reason of smoking. Questions (8) inquire if they want to quit smoking.
Ⅲ. Findings and Discussion
Ⅲ.1. The current situation of teen smoking addiction in Taiwan
Teen smoking addiction has been a serious issue in Taiwan. Although the
government has put a strict ban on public smoking, the percentage of teen smokers
continues to rise. According to the website information (華文戒菸網), men tend to
smoke more heavily than women do. It also indicates that smoking prevalence in the
stage of senior high school is higher than that of junior high school. This section
includes three parts. First, it presents statistic data about smoking situation on campus.
Furthermore, teenagers’ access to cigarette is discussed in the second part. Last but
not least, the final part talks about the health problems caused by smoking addiction.
Ⅲ.1.1. The smoking situation on campus
The following discussions are divided into three educational stages: elementary
school, junior high school, and senior high school. Table 1 and Table 2 are formulated
on the basis of the survey on teen smoking behaviors (學生吸菸行為調查).
1. Stage One (elementary school)
In this stage, most of the children are not mature enough. Some of them
even do not know what cigarette is. However, a small number of students start
to try smoking.
2. Stage Two (junior high school)
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Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
Based on Table1, the percentage of average junior high smokers rises
from 6.6% to 8.0% within six years (2004-2010). The percentage of male
smokers clearly increases, while the percentage of female smokers changes
slightly. Take 2010 for example. The number of male smokers (11.3%) is
almost three times as large as that of female (4.2%) in 2010. The number of
female smokers rises increasingly, whereas it decreases in 2010. In this stage,
teenagers have gradually become disobedient and disrespectful. They struggle
to be more independent from their parents. On the other hand, they are under
great pressure of schoolwork. In the stage of puberty, some teenagers openly
display rebellion against authority. It is found that some will release stress or
show discontent by smoking.
Table1: The percentage of smokers in junior high school
2004
2006
2008
2010
Average
6.6%
7.5%
7.8%
8.0%
Female
4.2%
4.7%
4.9%
4.2%
Male
8.5%
9.7%
10.3%
11.3%
3. Stage Three (senior high school)
In Table2, it shows that students in the stage of senior high school smoke
(14.8%~15.2%) more often than those in junior school (6.6%~8.0%). The
percentage of male smokers, though much higher than junior high smokers,
drops a little (21.3% to 19.3%) from 2005 to 2007. It rises slightly in 2009.
However, there are 8.5% female smokers in 2005, whereas 9.1% female
smoke in 2007 and 2009. In this stage, teenagers become more mature and
desire for more freedom over life. They have learned adequate knowledge of
bad influence of smoking on health. However, senior high smokers cannot quit
smoking because some have been heavily addicted to smoking since junior
high school. That is why the number of the senior smokers increases.
Table2: The percentage of smokers in senior high school
2005
2007
2009
Average
15.2%
14.8%
14.8%
Female
8.5%
9.1%
9.1%
Male
21.3%
19.3%
19.6%
III.1.2. Teen access to cigarettes
Today, many teens smoke a lot and they have their way to purchase cigarette.
However, it is illegal for stores to sell cigarettes to teens. Why does the number of
teen smokers rise rapidly from the stage of junior high to senior high stage? Thus, it is
crucial to know where teens get the cigarettes. The table 3 is arranged based on
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Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
Ministry of Health and Welfare website (2013). There are exceeding half of stores that
sell cigarette to teens. It points out that the percentage of store selling the teenagers
cigarette is up to 51%. Although the government limits teen access to cigarettes
strictly, there are a large number of stores selling the teens cigarettes. The
convenience store is about 29.3%. The traditional store is about 57.8% and the betel
nut stand is about 70.5% in 2010. Also, the percentage of stores selling cigarettes to
teens increases in recent years. The betel nut stand is still the highest ratio.
Table3: The places that sell cigarettes
percentage
convenience store
traditional store
betel nut stand
2010
29.3%
57.8%
70.5%
2011
47.8%
67.3%
78.4%
III.1.3. The health problems of smoking
Tobacco contains over 4000 chemical substance and at least 60 of them will lead
to cancer. The main substance causing cancer is Nicotine. This kind of substance will
gather in lung so as to cause cancer. In Taiwan, one-fifth cancers which people died of
is lung cancer. According to the research of Action on Smoking and Health in 2013,
heavy smokers have higher risk of getting cancers than non-smokers. It shows that
smokers are more likely to get lung cancer and oral cavity cancer than non-smokers.
In addition, smoking may cause diseases such as nasopharyngeal carcinoma and
gastric cancer. It has been proved that smoking has something to do with cancers.
III.2. The reasons why teenagers smoke
III.2.1. The background of teen smokers
female
22%
male
male
78%
female
Figurer1: The Gender of Teenagers
As shown in Figure 1, the number of male teen smokers amounts to 78%,
while female makes up 22% of the pie chart. It is obvious that men are the main
population of teen smokers.
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Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
1~4 tabaccos
16%
over one bag
18%
1~4 tabaccos
5~9 tabacco
31%
half~one bag
35%
5~9 tabacco
half~one bag
over one bag
Figure2: The Frequency of Teenagers Per Day
According to Figure 2, it indicates that 35% of the teen smokers consume half of
package a day and 31% participants smoke 5-9 tobaccos. However, there are 18% of
them who consumes more than one bag of tobaccos per day. The study implies that
the participants are likely to be heavy smokers even though they are still in puberty.
senior
18%
kindgarten
4%
elementary
24%
kindgarten
elementary
jnuior
senior
jnuior
54%
Figure3: When The Teenagers Begin Smoking
Also, it is of vital importance to explore when the participants start to try
smoking. The result of the questionnaire is presented in Figure 3. Clearly, a majority
of the participants begin smoking junior high school (54%). There are still some
trying to smoke in the period of elementary (24%) and senior high (54%). However,
much to our surprise, there are 4% of the participants who have access to cigarettes in
kindergarten. The outcome of our investigation suggests that the percentage of teen
smokers rises sharply in the period of junior high school.
III.2.2. The source of cigarettes
18%
8%
14%
friends
family
convenient store
31%
29%
betel nut store
small grocery store
Figure4: The Source of Cigarette
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Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
In Figure 4, it reveals where the participants can buy cigarettes for their
convenience. There are two main sources of cigarettes. One is convenient store (29%),
whereas the other is betel nut stand (31%). The government has put strict restrictions
on selling cigarettes to teenagers but some stores ignore the law secretly. That’s why
those under 18 have access to cigarettes and the rate of teen smoking rises
increasingly.
yes
16%
yes
no
no
84%
Figure5: Argument due to smoking
In regard to the ban on selling cigarettes to teenagers, the survey goes deeper to
explore if teenagers have ever been rejected by stores. In Figure 5, 57% of the
participants have never been refused, whereas 43% have been turned down when
buying cigarettes. Despite the fact that the government has set up laws to limit
teenagers’ access to tobaccos, a large number of stores, as investigated, ignore the
legislation and continue to sell cigarettes to teenagers.
III.2.3. The reasons for the cause of teen smoking
14%
4% 4%
18%
feeling cool
pretending mature
curiosity
14%
46%
peer pressure
stress relieve
others
Figure6: The Reasons Why Teenagers Smoke
In Figure 6, it is found that the overarching reasons for teen smoking can be
attributed to stress relief (46%). Some have tried smoking out of curiosity (18%) or
under peer pressure (14%). However, only few teenagers smoke cigarettes because of
pretending to be independent and others reason.
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Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
III.3. The influence of smoking on teenagers
III.3.1. The influence of smoking addiction
memory loss
2%
poor stamina
4%
21%
19%
halitosis
respiratory problems
4%
4%
4%
12%
4%
poor gustation and sense of
smell
sore throat
asynodia
low resistance
4%
14%
8%
being tired easily
dyspnea
Figure7: The Influence of Smoking
yellow teeth
others
In Figure 7, it indicates the primary influence of smoking addiction on teenagers.
Obviously, smoking addiction will lead to several bad influence on health such as
anaphrodisia, breath difficulties, cough and so on. According to the statistic result,
there are two main effects that the participants responded to the question. One is the
poor stamina and the other is yellow teeth. Both of them are up to 20%.
III.3.2. The reasons for quitting
postponing aging
13%
cutting down cost
42%
postponing aging
decrease the risk
of illness
30%
decrease the risk of
illness
protecting health of
family
cutting down cost
protecting health
of family
15%
Figure8: The Reason Why Teenager Smokers Quit Smoking
Moreover, we take a movement to inquire if the teen smokers will quit smoking
in the future. Shown in Figure 8, there are three main reasons that teen smokers want
to quit smoking. The reason for lowering cost of living makes up 42% of the total,
while to decrease the risk of illness takes up 30%. Only 15% of them quit smoking for
family health and 13% hope to postpone aging. It has proven that teen smokers have
considered as a goal to give up smoking for the sake of personal health.
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Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
Ⅳ. Conclusion
The research project is aimed at exploring teen smoking addiction in the society
of Taiwan. In order to understand the situation of teen smokers, we recruited 50
students to help us fill out the questionnaire. Each question is formulated
corresponding to a particular subject. The research findings include three sections.
First of all, we investigated the current situation of teen smokers in Taiwan. Secondly,
we move forward to explore the background of teen smokers and the reasons why
teenagers smoke. Lastly, we look for the insight into the influence of smoking on
teenagers.
With a view to examine the current situation of teen smokers, we collected
relevant information, thereby organizing some tables to analyze the smoking
situation on campus, the health problems of smoking and the teen access to
cigarettes. It is found that the number of teen smokers increase gradually from the
stage of junior high school to that of senior high school. Reportedly, boys tend to
smoke more heavily than girls. Even though laws are set to restrict teenagers’ access
to cigarette, teenagers are still able to buy cigarette from the stores like betel nut
stands. In addition, we discuss the health problem due to smoking. We find out that
tobacco contains over 4000 chemical substance and at least 60 of them will lead to
cancer and smokers are more likely to get lung cancer and oral cavity cancer than
non-smokers.
With questionnaire survey, we understand the background of the teen smokers
and the reasons why they are addicted to smoking. Most of the teen smokers started
to smoke in the stage of junior high school. As the result of the survey indicates,
most of them consume half a bag per day. Surprisingly, most of the teen smokers,
though below age 18, have never been rejected when buying cigarette. Teen smokers
have some access to buy cigarette such as convenient stores, traditional stores and
betel nut shop. The winner goes to betel nut shop because many teen smokers still
tend to buy cigarette there and it gets the highest percentage (70%). Above all, the
reason for their smoking is to relieve stress, followed by curiosity and peer pressure.
As for the influence of smoking addiction on teenagers, the teen smokers will
suffer from many kinds of illness such as memory loss, anaphrodisia, breath
difficulties, cough and so on. The most influential effect is poor stamina (19%) and
yellow teeth (21%).
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Smoking Addiction: An Exploration of Teen Smoking
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