WHY DO ADOLESCENTS START

SMOKING?

Name: Tommy-Lee Richards Subject: HSB SBA

Name: TOMMY-LEE RICHARDS

Candidate #:

Grade: 11 T S1

School: Port Antonio High

Subject: Human & Social Biology (HSB)

Teacher: Mr. Hernandez

Date of Submission: January 30, 2022

HUMAN & SOCIAL BIOLOGY (HSB) SCHOOL BASED ASSESSMENT

(S.B.A.)

Topic: WHY DO ADOLESCENTS START SMOKING?

Table of Contents Pages(s)

Background

Problem Statement

Research Objective

Methodology

Presentation of Data

Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Fazit

Recommendations

Reflection

Bibliography

Appendix 1

Appendix 2
Background

Statistics provided by the Jamaica Cancer Society show that approximately 80,000
young people across the world become addicted to tobacco each day, thus, public
education is imperative as an alarming 600,000 second-hand smokers die each
year, inclusive of 165,000 children. As indicated in the Global Youth Tobacco
Survey (GYTS), in Jamaica there was a rise from the 2001, 2010 and 2021
statistics among adolescents; boys ages 13-15 years moving from 19% in 2001 to
32% in 2010, and girls from 12% in 2001 to 16.8% in 2010, and an alarming 36%
of adolescent smokers in 2021. Jamaican Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. the
Hon. Christopher Tufton in his message to mark World No Tobacco Day, observed
globally May 31, said that “more than seven million deaths are the result of direct
tobacco use, while around one point two million are from non-smokers being
exposed to second-hand smoke”, with 11% of Jamaican between ages 12 to 65
years being current tobacco smokers, 36% of Secondary School students smoking
tobacco sometimes, and 15% using e-cigarettes, and so “a whole societal
approach” is being encouraged to address and “further reduce the dangerous effects
of tobacco use among our population”, thus the Jamaican “government continues
in its efforts to provide evidence–based control measures” and “align Jamaica’s
legal tobacco framework with the World Health Organization’s framework
Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to reduce the prevalence and
exposure to smoke since 2005. According to Senior Medical Officer and
Pulmonologist at the National Chest Hospital, Kingston, Dr. Terry Baker, “the
steady increase in numbers among youths is a worrying trend, because of the grave
risks associated with tobacco use” or smoking, noting too that “youths who begin
smoking before the age of 21 years have the hardest time breaking the habit.”
Campaigns to inform the public of these risks associated with smoking, combined
with smoking legislation regulating age access and smoking in public places, have
led to a decrease in smoking prevalence among all age groups in countries like
Canada, United States (US) and Jamaica. But despite these efforts, thousands of
young nationals continue to take up smoking every year. Tobacco product use is
started and established primarily during adolescence and continues into adulthood,
often with a deterioration in health status. But many individuals are still not
deterred by the consequences, especially adolescents who are often quite
experimental. People say that they use tobacco (or smoke) for many different
reasons - like stress relief, pleasure, or in social situations. In general, as it relates
to the causes of smoking, adolescents start smoking out of curiosity (the way the
mass media show tobacco product use as a normal activity can make young people
want to try these products) and vulnerability to peer pressure (youths are more
likely to use tobacco products if they see people their age using them or their desire
to fit in with friends), they see it as a way of rebelling and showing independence
(satisfy their wish to assert their growing independence to appear more grown-up
and sophisticated), and examples set by their parents and/or relatives (they think
that everyone else is smoking and they should too), or imitate actors or models
with appealing images in movies, video games or social media, and so many
become habitual smokers during this period. Factors related to habitual smoking
include the perception of cigarettes, a combined use of alcohol and drugs,
intrafamilial linkage; smoking by parents, and friends. Smoking is an addiction that
causes or contributes to a wide range of health problems, including diseases like
cancers of the lung and mouth/oral, and larynx (more people die from Lung
Cancer; an abnormal growth of cells, than any other cancer), cardiovascular
disease, chronic lung disease and respiratory illnesses and infections such as
Asthma and COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) example Chronic
Bronchitis and Emphysema are obstructive lung diseases that makes it hard to
breathe, heart disease (stroke and blood circulation problems), colorectal, bladder,
diabetes, dental problems, hearing and vision loss, with cumulative toxic effects on
microvasculature (hair loss and skin wrinkling), and also causes reproductive
effects in women, and premature, low Birth-Weight babies, and erectile
dysfunction in males. With the adverse effects of smoking, exposure to nicotine
can have lasting effects on adolescent brain-development. Cigarette smoking also
causes children and teens to have reduced lung growth; and early cardiovascular
damage, be short of breath and to have less stamina, both of which can affect
athletic performance and other physically active pursuits.

The revelation that your teenage child is smoking ganja is unsettling moment for
most parents. In many cases, the child has been smoking for far longer than the
parent would imagine. Teenage ganja use is a worrisome topic for educators,
parents and health officials due to its social impact. According to consultant
psychiatrist Professor Wendel Abel in an article published in the Gleaner
November 13, 2018 “Weed Ed/So Your Teenager is smoking weed…Here’s what
you should do”, “a noticeable distinction among teens who use ganja and those
who abstain, is the relationship with their parents and other figures of authority” as
probably non-smokers will reveal. Further noting that ‘among those who smoke,
parents normally compound the matter by taking the wrong approach to address
the situation,” and “while the moment can be emotional, parents must be pragmatic
in their response to achieve meaningful outcome.” Abel goes on to say that fear
tactics should be avoided, a better, more effective option being to “broach
underlying social and psychological issues” by “empowering the child”; show teen
smokers how their behavior will “impact their school, personal and career goals”.
Ganja has been shown to have negative effects on developing brain by interfering
with cognitive abilities such as thinking, memory and learning. In fact, a 2016
research commissioned by the National Council on Drug Abuse among secondary
school students highlighted that the introductory age to ganja is between 12 to 15
years old. One in every five students admitted to having used ganja in some form
at least once. The teens surveyed said they used ganja for stress relief and
relaxation and that peer influence also led to first time usage. With the human brain
developing up until the mid 20s, those statistics highlight the importance of a
robust public education campaign in Jamaica's new medical ganja industry.
Numerous researches have shown that teenage ganja users are poor performers in
high school. These teens are also at risk of psychosis if there is a history of mental
illness in the family, as the psychoactive substance in the plant triggers a chemical
imbalance that developing brains process differently than a fully developed brain.
Abel is adamant that there is a need for the ganja regulatory body to standardize
testing and labeling for the retail outlets licensed to sell ganja flower and ganja oil,
since there aren’t proper measures in place to ensure products are standardized.
With the decriminalization of ganja, there is greater need to protect public health
and public safety, and protect our young people.

It is not always possible for parents to prevent their child from trying cigarettes,
but the use of various strategies can reduce the likelihood of a child wanting to
smoke and doing so regularly. Notably, some groups of children are more at risk of
smoking than others. These groups include children from different ethnic
minorities and/or minority groups, children at a socio-economic disadvantage, who
experience depression, anxiety, or emotional distress, children with mental health
or behavioural problems, and children who have certain temperaments including
poor self-control, rebelliousness, or who are prone to sensation seeking and risk
taking. Whilst the best protection against smoking-related illnesses is never to
smoke in the first place, preventative measures can include taking an active stance
against teen smoking through continued parental counseling by talking to teens
early and often about the dangers of smoking and vaping, participation in local and
school-sponsored smoking prevention campaigns, support efforts to make public
places smoke-free, and government increase of taxes on tobacco products.

Nearly all tobacco use begins during youth and progresses during adulthood with a
deterioration in health status. Everyday almost 2500 children under 18 years try
their first cigarette, and more than 400 of them will become new, regular daily
smokers with serious health problems. Half of them will ultimately die from their
habit. Nearly 9 out of 10 adults who smoke cigarettes daily first try smoking by
age 18, and 99% first try smoking by age 26. Each day in the US, about 1600
youths smoke their first cigarette and nearly 200 youth start smoking every day.
Although smoking rates in teens 15-19 years in 2013, were two to three times
lower than in 1999, according to national survey conducted by Health and
Statistics Canada, smoking prevalence increased with age, 2% among youths in
grades 6 to 9, 11% 15 to 19 years, 18% 20 to 24 years, and 19% 25 to 34 years.
Cigarette smoking during childhood and adolescence causes significant health
problems among young people, including an increase in the number and severity of
respiratory illnesses, decreased physical fitness, potential effects on lung growth
and function and early cardiovascular damage (narrows blood vessels and puts a
strain on the heart). Cigarette smoke contains over four thousand substances,
seventy of which are known to be carcinogenic (cancer causing) according to
Pulmonologist Dr. Terry Baker. The long-term health consequences of youth
smoking are manifested in the fact that most young people who smoke regularly
continue to smoke throughout their adult years. As the years progress, health status
worsens; the effects of tobacco on the respiratory system include: irritation of the
trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box) reduced lung function and
breathlessness due to swelling and narrowing of the lung airways and excess
mucus in the lung passages (permanent damage to the air sacs of the lungs).
Nicotine, which is found in cigarettes, is a highly addictive substance and is
quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and exposure to nicotine can have lasting
effects on adolescent brain development and physical development. In fact, people
who start smoking at an early age are more likely to develop a severe addiction to
nicotine than those who start at a later age. Of adolescents who have smoked at
least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, most of them report that they would like to
quit, but find it hard to do so. If current tobacco use patterns persist, an estimated
5.6 million of today’s youths under age 18 eventually will die prematurely from a
smoking-related disease.

Although current cigarette smoking was highest among people aged 25-44 years,
and 45-64 years, whilst current cigarette smoking was lowest among people aged
18-24 years, smoking among adolescents is still a persistent problem. According to
the 2017 Global Youth Survey, 11.7% of students aged 13-15 years use e-
cigarettes, as compared to 11.2% of those who currently smoke cigarettes, noting
too that 10% of Jamaican youths begin smoking (in Jamaica, the use is not limited
to the smoking of cigarettes, but is also combined in its unprocessed form with
marijuana for the purpose of smoking) by age 11. In 2015, 9.3% of high school
students reported smoking cigarettes in the last 30 days, down 74% from 36.4% in
1997 when rates peaked after increasing throughout the first half of the 1990s.
Among high school students in 2015, the most prevalent forms of tobacco used
were electronic cigarettes (16%), cigarettes (9.3%), cigars (8.6%), and hookah
(7.2%). But Menthol cigarette use is more common among younger and newer teen
smokers. This is due to young smokers perceiving menthol cigarette as less harsh
and easier to smoke. In 2014, around 62% of current smokers in both middle and
high school seriously thought about quitting. 70% of middle school and 59% of
high school current smokers had tried to quit smoking for one day or more.
According to a 2010 NCDA study, Jamaican youths begin smoking as early as 13
years. Additionally, the data shows that at least 44.44% of students have smoked at
least once, 31.3% smoked a tobacco product and 20.2% have smoked cigarettes.
According to the National Council on Drug Abuse (2010) “In 2006, male and
female adolescent use of any tobacco product increased to 20%. Teenage smoking
among Jamaican females had also slightly increased. Smoking affects maternal,
fetal health and causes erectile dysfunction in men. Since 1990, teenagers and
young adults have had the highest rates of maternal smoking during pregnancy.
According to Andrew Joseph (December 2016) in a study “more pregnant women
are using marijuana now than a decade ago, and the rate is particularly high among
younger pregnant women, according to a new analysis of survey data published in
the Journal of the American Medical Association (2.37% in 2002 to 3.85% in
2014; an increase of 62%, with pregnant women aged 18 to 25 years having the
highest rate of use 7.47%). In 2014, 10.2% of female teens aged 15 to 19 and 13%
of women aged 20 to 24 smoked during pregnancy. This affected the mother’s
overall health and that of the newborn (toxic to developing fetuses); decrease in
birth weight, brain (cognitive) development, lung growth and function in infants,
among other health problems. Health centres held sessions to discourage,
especially first-time and/or teenage mothers from smoking. The American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women who are pregnant or
are thinking about becoming pregnant avoid marijuana. However, Six out of ten
smokers 15 to 19 years were seriously considering quitting in the next six months,
and more than one-half (57%) had made an attempt to quit in the previous 12
months with these numbers being relatively stable over the years.

The good news is that help is available for teen smokers who want to quit. In some
countries like in America, the American Lung Association’s Not-On-Tobacco (N-
O-T) program is designed for 14-19 year old smokers who want to quit, and annual
forums are also held in Jamaica to educate and deter students from the habit of
smoking, and to encourage parents to become more vigilant towards their children.
The Cancer Society is encouraging Jamaicans – particularly parents, guardians,
teachers and counselors – to tap into its programmes that have been implemented
to assist with the prevention and cessation of youth smoking, and get informed
about the dangers of smoking and its effect on the health and well-being of their
children and students. In 2017 Executive Director of the Cancer Society Yulit
Gordon states that “the Cancer society is encouraging people to get informed about
the dangers of smoking and its effects on the health and well-being of children and
students.” Gordon further emphasizes that “it is also important to make time to
communicate with them on matters of peer pressure, stress relating to relationships,
and challenges in the home which go unresolved,” as “these” are all “matters
which may lead a young person to start smoking”. Noting too that “Unfortunately,
many young people are under the mistaken impression that cigarettes” (smoking)
“eliminate stress”. In another article in 2018 Delevante notes that the Jamaica
Cancer Society, implores parents to monitor children for smoking, as discouraging
them from starting the habit is far more effective than reversing the addiction,
encourage children to become engaged in physical activities, and to stay away
from other children who may be involved in risky behaviours or habits. On March
2, 2016, students from schools across the island benefitted; signing a petition
calling on Government to ban all forms of tobacco advertising, promotion and
sponsorship (TAPS), from the sixth staging of an informative, eye-opening annual
Anti-Tobacco Youth Forum staged annually by the Jamaica Cancer Society (JCS)
at the Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston, held under the theme:
“#MekWiTalk”. This Anti-Tobacco Youth Forum has been established to target
Jamaican high school students, and to educate them on the dangers of smoking,
which kills more than five million people each year.
Factors Associated with Youth Tobacco Product Use or Smoking in general

Social and Physical environments

 The way the mass media show tobacco product use as a normal activity can
make young people want to try these products. Images that make smoking
seem attractive and appealing are everywhere- in the movies, and on TV, in
video games, on the internet, in advertising, and at retail stores. Cigarette
advertising and marketing causes youths and young adults to start smoking;
and nicotine addiction keeps them smoking into adulthood. Although direct
marketing to children is now prohibited, the tobacco industry is still
developing, packaging and advertising their products in ways that appeal to
children although these already on the market undergo a robust scientific
evaluation by FDA (Food & Drug Administration). They promote new
tobaccos products such as snus (a dry snuff in a small tea-bag like pouch that
enables kids to consume tobacco products at school or in other tobacco-free
environments), dissolvable tobacco in sticks, lozenges, and strips, fruit and
candy flavoured and dissolvable tobacco products, menthol cigars and e-
cigarettes (Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS), vape pens, and e-
hookahs which deliver nicotine through an aerosol that is inhaled into the
lungs the same way as cigarette smoke is, and remains a public health issue
that is affecting children, families, schools and communities. So far there are
no studies on the health effects of long-term use of e-cigarettes and other
ENDS, or whether use of ENDS leads to cigarette smoking by youths.
Although cigarettes can no longer be advertised on TV, radio, billboards, or
in magazines that appeal to youths, ENDS can be advertised anywhere.
Although E-Cigarette use is down from 28% in 2019, to about 20% in 2020,
teen use remains alarmingly high.
 Youths are more likely to use tobacco products and/or smoke if they see
people their age using these products or smoking.
 High school athletes are more likely to use smokeless tobacco than those of
the same age who are not athletes. Athletes who smoke underperform
athletes who are non-smokers.
 Young people may be more likely to copy their parents smoke if a parent
and/or older sibling or relative does so.
Biological and genetic factors

 There is evidence that youths may be sensitive to nicotine and that teens can
feel dependent on nicotine sooner than adults.
 Genetic factors may make quitting smoking harder for young people.
 Smoking during pregnancy may increase the likelihood that the child may
smoke cigarettes regularly in the future.

Mental Health

 There is a strong relationship between youth smoking and depression,

anxiety and stress.
 Personal views: When young people expect positive things from smoking,
such as coping with stress better or losing weight, they are more likely to
smoke.
 Individuals who smoke Ganja, can develop psychosis, especially if there is a
history of mental illness in the family.

Other influences that affect youth tobacco use include:

 Lower socio-economic status, including lower income or education

 Not knowing how to say “No” to tobacco product use
 Lack of support or involvement from parents and/or guardians
 Accessibility, availability, and low price of tobacco products
 Doing poorly in school
 Low self-image and self-esteem
Problem Statement

Over the years, smoking addiction, with its short-term and long-term effects has
become quite worrisome in some communities like mine, and is a grave problem
among adolescents in Jamaica; boys moving from a 19% in 2001 to 32% in 2010
and girls from 12% in 2001 to 16.8% in 2010, with current tobacco use at a 36%
statistics among secondary school students ages 13-15 years. Teens who start
smoking in the community, don’t appear as healthy as teens who don’t smoke, with
a majority starting to develop health, in particular respiratory problems; telltale
signs and symptoms include coughing, sore throat or hoarseness, stained teeth, bad
breath, reduce lung function; exasperated breathing (short of breath), irritation of
the eyes, dizziness or lightheadedness, migraine headaches, nausea, and a lack of
energy, among other unpleasant feelings, and so preventative measures such as
parental and professional counseling by Psychiatrists and school Guidance
Counsellors, and community and government policies need to be effective in order
to help youths quit smoking.
Research Objective

The aim of this research is to find out what are the causes (reasons why young
people smoke), effects (consequences; what happens when they start smoking),
and measures that can be taken by teens, parents/caregivers, teachers, medical
practitioners, government officials, and other stakeholders to deter or discourage
and prevent teens (in my community) from smoking.
Demography

Teenage Smoking has posed a problem in my community over the years. The
community is located in Portland, Jamaica. It is located about a mile or 1.60939
km south east of the capital Port Antonio, in the direction of the Rio Grande
Valley. This is a peaceful, farming community within walking distance of the town
of Port Antonio and its major amenities. Approximately one thousand persons live
in the community. Majority of the residents are civil servants (government
workers) or tradesmen (skilled workers); farmers, shopkeepers, housekeepers,
mechanics, masons, carpenters and plumbers, whilst about forty percent (40%) are
unemployed. About ninety percent of the residents are of African/Caribbean
descent. 60% are Christians, 20% Rastafarians and 20% practise no religion.
Although the community doesn’t suffer greatly from incidences of violence, in
particular murder, it is plagued by the occassional "break-in" (theft/larceny),
substance abuse (the abuse of cannabis or the "ganja" or "marijuana") and truancy
(loitering) by high-school drop-outs.

Explanation of Sample Size

Procedures used for data collection: explanation, presentation and interpretation of

data. Sample size (20). As was stated earlier, the researcher’s community has
approximately 1000 persons. To get an accurate number of participants, the
researcher will calculate 10% of that population (10% of 1000=100).

Those 100 persons’ names were written on a register, and count off every five
names until you get 20 names.

Attempts will be made to contact these persons. These persons will be notified that
they form part of the research exercise. Notifications will be done by way of phone
calls, Whatsapp or text messages, emails and dropping-off notices.

Due to circumstances beyond my control; finances and time constraints, a total of

twenty (20) questionnaires were issued, but only ten (10) were returned completed.
Methodology

The method used to collect information was preparing, collecting and distributing
questionnaire, interviews and discussions with the young people in my community,
in particular adolescent smokers and their relatives and/or friends about their views
on the causes, effects and ways to prevent smoking.

All the respondents lived in my community, almost half of them were in their late
teens and had started smoking. The rest of the respondents were either family
members and/or friends of the teens who smoked and/or residents.

Before distributing the questionnaires and conducting the interviews, respondents

were asked if they smoked or not. In total 20 questionnaires were distributed, but
only10 persons responded (4 smokers and 6 non-smokers).

The questionnaires were printed and distributed. Those completed became part of
the research. The results were anonymous and confidential so respondents had no
problems answering personal questions about their health.
Presentation of Data
Method of Investigation

As a Human & Social Biology (HSB) student, the Researcher expects to improve in writing
and comprehension skills by researching and organizing this School Based Assessment
(S.B.A.). The Researcher intends to collect the information for this S.B.A. by researching
online articles, scouting through recent newspaper and academic text and/or journal(s),
and use of Questionnaires.

Method of Data Collection

The researcher will use printed questionnaires to conduct research. The reasons for using
this tool is that:

a. It has several responses from which to choose.

b. It takes little time to be completed.

c. It guarantees anonymity.

Data Collection Instrument

Data Collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on variables of interest, in
an established systematic fashion that enables one to answer stated research questions, test
hypotheses and evaluate outcomes. Data Collection and analysis tools are defined as a series of
questionnaires, charts, maps, graphs, diagrams designed to collect, interpret and present data for
a wide range of applications and industries.

Data Collection Instrument

• Questionnaires

The questionnaire is the most commonly used instrument for collecting research data from the
participants of a study. Participants will be issued questionnaires, and invited to answer all
questions, and submit completed questionnaires within a two (2) days period.
Sample Questionnaire

Instructions: Please tick the box to indicate your response.

1. Are you Male [ ] Female [ ]

2. What age group are you?

a. 16 - 19 years [ ], b. 20 - 30 years [ ], c. 31 - 40 years [ ], d. 41 - 50 years[ ], e. over 60

years [ ]

3. Are you...

a. Single [ ], b. Married [ ], c. Common-Law [ ], d. Divorced/Separated [ ]

4. What is your religion?

a. Christian [ ], b. Mormon [ ], c. Rastafarian [ ], d. Islam [ ], e. Cult [ ]

5. What is your religious denomination?

a.Seventh Day Adventist[ ], b.Apostolic [ ], c.Revivalist [ ], d.Jehovah's Witness [ ],

e. None [ ]

6. What is your highest level of education?

a. Primary [ ] b. Secondary [ ] c. Tertiary [ ]

7. With whom do you live?

a. Parents [ ], b. Relatives [ ], c. Friend [ ], d. Spouse [ ], e. Alone [ ]

7b. Is your home owned by...

a. Rent [ ], b. Family [ ], c. Friend [ ], d. Mortgage [ ] , e. Own Home[ ]

8. How long have you resided in the community?

a. Less than 3 years [ ], b. over 5 years [ ], c. over 10 years [ ], d. over 20 years [ ]

9a. What is your occupation?

a. Unemployed [ ], b. Self-Employed [ ], c. Government Job [ ], d. Private Owned

Business [ ]

9b. What is your level of income per month?

a.Minimum Wage[ ], b.Over $50,000[ ], c.Over $100,000[ ], d.Over $200,000[ ], e.None [ ]

10. Are you a member of a political party?

a. None [ ], b. J.L.P. [ ], c. P.N.P. [ ], d. N.D.M. [ ]

11a. Is Teenage Smoking a problem in your community?

a. Yes [ ] b. No [ ]

11b. What problems are the main causes of Teenage Smoking?

a. Home & Family Problems[ ], b. Peer Pressure [ ], c. Curiosity [ ], d. Lack of moral

guidance [ ], e. Stress at School [ ]

12. What are the main choices and/or preferences in brands among teenage smokers?

a.Marijuana/Cannabis (Herb/Weed/High Grade) [ ], b. Craven A/Matterhorn Cigarette [ ],

c. Tobacco (“Grabba”) [ ], d. Cigar [ ], e. No Preference [ ],

13a. What are the most common health problems among (adolescent) smokers in your
community?

a. Respiratory (breathing problems eg. Asthma,coughing,sinus) [ ], b. Brain

(headaches/migraines, dizziness, lightheadedness) [ ], c. Stomach problems (indigestion,
gastroenteritis, ulcers) [ ], d. Cancer/Stroke [ ], e. Heart Attack [ ]

13b. On a Rating Scale of 1 to 10, 1 for No and 100% for Yes, Is smoking harmful to
adolescents’ health?

a.Yes [ ] b. No [ ]

14a. What remedies or withdrawal methods are frequently used to cure or treat teenage
smokers and help them quit smoking?

a.Doctors’ Medicine [ ], b. Home Remedies [ ], c. Herbal Remedies [ ], d. Professional

Counselling/Therapy [ ]

14b. How likely are you to quit smoking?

a.Likely [ ], b. More/Most likely [ ], c. Not Sure [ ], d. Never [ ], e. Don’t Smoke [ ],

15. What institutions can best alleviate Juvenile Delinquency?

a. Home [ ], b. School [ ], c. Church [ ], d. Government [ ]

The End

“Thanks for your participation!"

Presentation of Data

Interpretation of Questionnaire

In question #1. Are you male [ ] female [ ],

Explanation: 70% of the respondents are Males, and 30% Females.

In question #2. What age group are you? a. 16 - 19 years [ ] b. 20 - 30 years [ ] c. 31 - 40
years [ ] d. 41 - 50 years [] e. over 60 years [ ],

Explanation: 20% are 16-19 years, 30% 20-30 years, 20% 31-40 years, 20% 41-50 years,
and 10% over 60 years.
In question #3. Are you...

a. Single [ ], b. Married [ ], c. Common-Law [ ], d. Divorced/Separated [ ],

Explanation: 40% are Single, 10% Married, 30% Common-law and 20%
Divorced/Separated.
In question #4. What is your religion?

a. Christian [ ], b. Mormon [ ], c. Rastafarian [ ], d. Islam [ ], e. Cult [ ], f.No Religion [ ],

Explanation: 50% are Christians, 0% Mormon, 30% Rastafarians, 0% Islam, 0% Cult

and 20% No Religion
In question #5. What is your religious denomination?

a. Seventh Day Adventist [ ], b. Apostolic [ ], c. Revivalist [ ], d. Jehovah's Witness [ ],

e. None [ ],

Explanation: 20% Seventh-Day Adventists, 20% Apostolic, 10% Revivalist, 10% Jehovah's
Witness and 40% None
In question #6. What is your highest level of education?

a. Primary [ ] b. Secondary [ ] c. Tertiary [ ],

Explanation: 10% Primary, 70% Secondary and 20% Tertiary

In question #7a. With whom do you live?

a. Parents [ ], b. Relatives [ ], c. Friend [ ], d. Spouse [ ], e. Alone [ ]

Explanation: 40% Parents, 30% Relatives, 10% Friend, 10% Spouse, and 10% Alone
In question #7b. Is your home owned by...

a. Rent [ ], b. Family [ ], c. Friend [ ], d. Mortgage [ ], d. Own Home[ ]

Explanation: 30% Rent, 30% Family, 20% Friend, 10% Mortgage, and 10% Own home
In question #8. How long have you resided in the community?

a. Less than 3 years [ ], b. over 5 years [ ], c. over 10 years [ ], d. over 20 years [ ],

Explanation: 20% less than 3 years, 30% over 5 years, 30% over 10 years, and 20% over
20 years
In question #9a. What is your occupation?

a. Unemployed[ ], b. Self-Employed[ ], c. Government Job[ ], d. Private Owned Business[ ],

Explanation: 40% Unemployed, 20% Self-Employed, 30% Government Job, and 10%
Private Owned Business
In question #9b. What is your level of income per month?

a.Minimum Wage [ ], b.Over $50,000[ ], c.Over $100,000[ ] d.Over $200,000[ ], e.None [ ],

Explanation: 30% Minimum Wage, 20% over $50,000, 10% over $100,000, and 0% over
$200,000, and 40% None
In question #10. Are you a member of a political party?

a. J.L.P. [ ], b. P.N.P. [ ], c. N.D.M. [ ], d. None [ ],

Explanation: 50% JLP, 30% PNP, 0% NDM, and 20% None

In question #11a. Is Teenage Smoking a problem in your community?

a. Yes [ ] b. No [ ],

Explanation: 40% Yes, and 60% No

In question #11b. What problems are the main causes of Teenage Smoking?

a. Home & Family Problems [ ] b. Peer Pressure [ ] c. Curiosity [ ] d. Lack of Moral

Guidance [ ], e. Stress at School [ ]

Explanation: 30% Home & Family Problems, 30% Peer Pressure, 10% Curiosity, 20%
Lack of Moral Guidance, and 10% Stress at School
In question #12. What are the main choices and/or preferences in brands among teenage
smokers?

a.Marijuana/Cannabis (Herb/Weed/High Grade) [ ], b. Craven A/Matterhorn Cigarette [ ],

c. Tobacco (“Grabba”) [ ], d. Cigar [ ], e. No Preference [ ],

Explanation: 30% Marijuana/Cannabis (Herb/Weed/High Grade), 10% Craven

A/Matterhorn Cigarette, 0% Tobacco (“Grabba”), 0% Cigar, and 60% No Preference

Line Graph

100%

90%

80%

70%

60% .

50%

40%

30% .

20%

10% .

0% . .

Choices Marijuana Craven A/Matterhorn Tobacco Cigar No Preference

In question #13a. What are the most common health problems among (adolescent) smokers
in your community?

a. Respiratory (breathing problems eg. Asthma, coughing, sinus) [ ], b. Brain

(headaches/migraines, dizziness, lightheadedness) [ ], c. Stomach problems (indigestion,
gastroenteritis, ulcers) [ ], d. Cancer/Stroke [ ], e. Heart Attack [ ]

Explanation: 40% Respiratory (breathing problems, eg. Asthma,coughing,sinus), 30%

Brain (migraine headaches, dizziness, lightheadedness), 20% Stomach problems
(indigestion, gastroenteritis, ulcers), 0% Cancer/Stroke, and 10% Heart Attack
In question #13b. On a Rating Scale of 1 to 10, 1 for No and 100% for Yes, Is smoking
harmful to adolescents’ health?

a. Yes [ ] b. No [ ],

Explanation: 90% (9 respondents) said Yes, and 10% (1 respondent) said No

Rating Scale

No Yes

.___________________________________________________.________

Answers: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
In question 14a. What remedies or withdrawal methods are frequently used to cure or treat
teenage smokers and help them quit smoking?

a.Doctors’ Medicine [ ], b. Home Remedies [ ], c. Herbal Remedies [ ], d. Professional

Counselling/Therapy [ ],

Explanation: 40% Doctors’ Medicine, 20% Home Remedies, 10% Herbal Remedies, and
30% Professional Counselling/Therapy

In question #14b. How likely are you to quit smoking?

a.Likely [ ], b. More/Most likely [ ], c. Not Sure [ ], d. Never [ ], e. Don’t Smoke [ ],

Explanation: 10% Likely, 20% More/Most Likely, 20% Not Sure, 0% Never, and 50%
Don’t Smoke

Line Graph

Percentage(s)

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50% .

40%

30%

20% . .

10% .

0% .

Responses Likely More/Most Likely Not Sure Never Don’t Smoke

In question #15. What institutions can best prevent or reduce the numbers of Teenage
Smokers?

a. Home [ ], b. School [ ], c. Church [ ], d. Government and Medical Practitioners [ ],

Explanation: 40% Home, 30% School, 10% Church, and 20% Government and Medical
Practitioners
Analysis and Interpretation of Data

Health

What are the effects of teenage smoking in my community?

Smoking is dangerous to health among teens with short term and long-term
consequences. Among the teens in my community, smoking just once or twice can
cause immediate symptoms such as short-term effects included coughing,
sneezing, migraines, dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea and breathing problems or
sore throat and eyes and other unpleasant feelings. That’s the instant effect of all
those toxic chemicals coming out of a cigarette, cigar or cannabis/marijuana
(“spliff”), which your body isn’t used to. In the long-term, it is expected to
negatively affect their brain development, lung function and growth (respiratory
illnesses), affect major organs such as the lungs, heart, oesophagus and stomach,
and it is also carcinogenic (causes cancer) and/or stroke, and can even result in
death in later years.

Among the samples collected, both groups contained persons with medical and/or
respiratory conditions, such as asthma and sinus, and migraine, but the number that
has daily or weekly asthma, sore throat and eyes, and sinus attacks is nearly twice
as much among youths that smoke, than those who don’t.

Nearly all teens who smoke display symptoms such coughing, sneezing, short of
breath, and three (3) teens experience these problems everyday, with a chronic
cough, breathing problem, lightheadedness and migraine headache, whereas only
two (2) of those who don’t smoke has a cough, and four (4) non-smokers with no
problem at all.

Three (3) of the four (4) students who smoke, reported having a chronic cough,
migraines and sore throat and eyes on a weekly basis, three (3) of them everyday,
and one (1) once a week. While most of those six (6) who don’t smoke, two has a
cough, and four (4) show no signs or symptoms of any health problems.

More than twice as many teens who smoke had a respiratory infection during the
past year.
What causes teens to smoke?

Causal factors of teenage smoking include socio-economic factors such as

curiosity, peer influence, stress of home and family problems (one or more
parents/relatives being habitual smokers), lack of finances, and unrealistic
expectations, lack of moral guidance and training, difficulties experienced in
educational attainment and/or the stress of the learning environment and societal
and/or media influences.

Six (6) respondents overall strongly think that smoking is dangerous to teenage
health, that the habit should be avoided totally, and teens should remain firm or
steadfast in their decisions not to smoke or to quit, whilst 4 of them are habitual
smokers who are somewhat indifferent.

6 respondents, non-smokers strongly believe that smoking is harmful and should

be avoided at all costs, but 4 respondents, smokers although believing it is harmful
still think the habit is a form of recreation or pleasure and are unsure if they will
quit the bad habit. Teens who smoke are more likely to say that smoking is
tolerable and relieves stress.

Most respondents agree that smoking is a dangerous habit causing many health
problems (short term and long term).
Short Term Effects (Suggestions of immediate risks include:)

 Reduced fitness levels

 Respiratory problems (coughing, sore throat, sneezing, chest pains)
 Oral health (nasty smelling breath)
 Brain (Dizziness/lightheadedness, headaches/migraines)
 Stomach problems (Gastroenteritis, ulcers, nausea)
 Irritation of the eyes
 Stained teeth and fingers
 Skin wrinkle
 Hair loss
 Being unattractive to non-smoking peers
 Wasting money that could be used for clothes, music or other items
 The difficulty of stopping smoking once symptoms of addiction to nicotine
appear

Long Term Effects of Smoking

Respiratory infections (eg. Asthma, Chronic Bronchitis, Sinus) and risks of lung
disease from smoking

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is an obstructive lung disease

that makes it hard to breathe

Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema, types of COPD

Lung Cancer (an abnormal growth of cells)

Dental problems or Oral health

Coronary Heart Disease, Diabetes, Stroke and blood circulation problems

Other types of cancer. Smoking increases the risk of cancer of the larynx, nose,
sinuses, voice box, throat, oesophagus, kidney, bladder, and colorectal

Reproductive Effects in Women (toxic to fetal development, premature, low birth-

weight babies) and Erectile Dysfunction in males

Vision and Microvasculature (hair loss and skin wrinkling)

Fazit

Smoking during adolescence causes significant health problems among young

people. Most importantly, this is when an addiction takes hold, often lasting into
and sometimes throughout adulthood. Among adults who smoked daily, 87% had
tried their first cigarette by the time they were 18 years of age, and 95% had by age
21. Everyday, almost 2500 children under 18 years try their first cigarette, and
more than 400 of them will become new, regular daily smokers. Half of them will
ultimately die from the habit. Smoking becomes more common as students
progress through school. One in eighteen school students (approximately 5.5 per
cent) have tried smoking by age 12, and this rises to one in seven by age 14
(approximately 14 per cent). By the time they are 17 years old, around 40% of
school students have tried smoking and 12% are “current smokers” (defined as
having smoked in the week before the survey). If current tobacco use patters
persist, an estimated 5.6 million of today’s youths under 18 years will die
prematurely from a smoking-related disease.

Smoking is dangerous to health of both youths and older people who have been
smoking longer. Symptoms of many smoking-related illnesses tend to develop in
middle or later in life. The chemicals from cigarette smoke and/or
marijuana/cannabis damage the human body regardless of age. Many young people
develop symptoms of addiction even if they don’t smoke every day, and for some,
symptoms can develop within days to weeks of starting to smoke. In fact, teens
who smoke don’t appear as healthy, and possess more signs and symptoms of
respiratory illnesses due to smoking, than teens who don’t smoke. More than 80%
of those teens who smoked in the community suffered from respiratory problems.
From this it was deduced that the short-term effects of smoking among teens was
associated with their respiratory health and could cause possible long-term effects
such as oral health, lung function, brain development, and cardiovascular damage.

Many factors contribute to smoking initiation in teenagers, but the two leading
contributors are access to tobacco/marijuana, and individual attitudes and beliefs
about smoking, which often arise from the environment. Some social and
environmental factors are related to lower smoking levels among youth, among
these are; being part of a religious group or tradition, racial/ethnic pride and strong
racial identity, and higher academic achievement and strong family bonding.
One of the first steps to quitting is to learn why you feel like smoking. Then you
can think about the reasons you want to quit. It is important to keep working to
prevent and reduce the use of all forms of tobacco product use and/or smoking
among youths. Individuals who want to quit should also seek professional help
and/or medical advise. Parental involvement through constant monitoring and
counseling is important to prevent children from smoking and/or to quit. Robust
government policies need to be implemented on tobacco use, and smoking of
marijuana as thousands of youths become habitual smokers and suffer from poor
health choices. Thus, public education is imperative as an alarming 600,000
second-hand smokers die each year, inclusive of 165,000 children.
Recommendations

Where possible, teens should become weary and cautioned about peer influence,
and listen to advise of parents/guardians and other responsible adults to stay away
from other teens who smoke and/or display risky habits and/or behaviours, and
become more aware of the negative consequences towards their health. Teens need
to be made aware of how their behavior will affect their goals. They would be
under less influence to smoke and or develop bad habits.

Parents and/or guardians/care-givers need to educate their child about smoking;

mention long-term risks, but also try to emphasize the immediate risks to their
health and well-being (health risks associated with smoking, discuss the issue of
smoking with your child, especially when you see other people smoke) as trying to
explain the long-term risks of smoking to a child or teenager may not have much of
an impact, as 20 or 30 years or more into the future is an unimaginable time to
them, constantly monitor and/or supervise their teens, need to become more aware
of the importance of making time to communicate with adolescents on matters of
peer pressure, stress relating to relationships, and address challenges in the home
(or school) which go unresolved, as these are all matters which may lead a young
person to start smoking. Seek medical advise and/or professional counseling or
help for a child who already smokes. Research shows that children are less likely
to smoke if their primary role models do not smoke. For a parent who hopes to quit
smoking, if your child can witness how hard it is to quit smoking, they may want
to steer clear of smoking completely. Let children see that they can learn a valuable
lesson from your mistakes.

Educators, Community groups, Health Care Personnels (cardiologists,

pulmonologists, counseling psychologists) and Government officials, “In the Fight
Against Tobacco”, need to organize monthly and/or annual comprehensive and
interactive youth group-based forums and/or sessions in each parish that focus on
adolescent risky behaviours, empower young adults, and covers topics such as
nicotine addiction, managing withdrawal symptoms, weight control and/or loss
(obesity and/or anorexia), stress management, recognizing and planning for
possible obstacles to quitting, staying tobacco free and enjoying being a non-
smoker. These forums should be held in an effort to allow students to make
connections with what they have been taught in school, as well as to clarify any
myths associated with ganja and/or tobacco-related illnesses and or smoking in
general.

Whilst the best protection against health problems associated with smoking is
never to smoke in the first place, preventative measures can include taking an
active stance against teen smoking through continued parental counseling by
talking to teens early and often about the dangers of smoking and vaping,
participation in local and school-sponsored smoking prevention campaigns,
TV/radio commercials, posters, and other media messages aimed at kids and teens
in order to counteract tobacco product ads, and school/college policies and
community development programmes that encourage tobacco-free lifestyles,
support efforts to make public places smoke-free, raising the minimum age of sale
for tobacco products to 21 years, and government increase of taxes on tobacco
products.

Recommendations - Parental Guidance or Intervention for Teenage smokers

What to do if your child already smokes?

If your child is already smoking, or if you suspect they may be, try to avoid angry
confrontations. Threats and bullying rarely work. Instead, attempt t a reasonable
“adult-to-adult” conversational tone. Find out what they find appealing about
cigarettes or marijuana. For example, peer pressure may be a factor, but don’t try
to force your child to stop seeing their friends who smoke, but caution them about
the dangers of adopting or copying this kind of lifestyle and encourage them to
make their own independent decisions. You could try expressing your disapproval
about smoking, while allowing your child to indulge in other conformist
behaviours such as buying the same style of clothes as their friends. Alternatively,
help your child to question the value of always following the crowd. Use this as an
opportunity to encourage your child to think and act independently.

As teens experience stress, anxiety and depression are more at risk of smoking,
encouraging a more holistic approach to health and well-being may also help. For
example, having a good sleep routine, a healthy diet, doing exercise they enjoy,
hobbies and/or favourite past-time, engaging in activities and/or programs that
support mental health such as mindfulness meditation, and other strategies that
reduce anxiety and depression may help.
If your child wants to stop smoking, but is finding it hard, help is available.
Medical practitioners and/or therapists know how to talk about smoking with
young people and support them to quit. Children aged 12 to 17 years may use a
nicotine replacement therapy product to help them quit, but it’s strongly
recommended that they speak to their doctor or other trained health professionals
about it first.

How a parent who smokes can prevent or help a teen smoker

Parents need to be a good role model by not smoking, take a stand against smoking
(don’t permit anyone to smoke in your home, don’t send children to buy cigarettes
or light a cigarette for you or anyone else, encourage sport and physical activity for
all family members, and if there are adult smokers in the home, make sure they
keep their cigarettes where your child cannot access them).

If parents find quitting difficult and still smoke, they can share their experience
with their child, for example tell them how demoralizing it feels to be hooked on
smoking when you don’t want to be, or how much money was wasted on cigarettes
over the years. Ask your children for support during your next attempt to quit. If
your child can witness how tough quitting smoking can be, they may want to steer
clear of smoking completely. Let children see that they can learn a valuable lesson
from your mistakes.

Recommendations – Advise for teenage smokers

If you want to stop smoking, you can make small changes to your lifestyle that
may help you resist the temptation to light up or lessen your crave.

 Think positive
 Consider your diet
 Change your drink
 Identify when you crave your choice smoke
 Get support from parents/professionals or responsible persons to quit
smoking
 Be proactive, don’t hesitate to seek help or engage in activities that help
you quit smoking
 Make non-smoking friends and avoid or be firm towards peer influence
Reflection

The steady increase in numbers among the youth is a worrying trend, because of
the grave risks associated with tobacco use or smoking. Smoking can cause serious
health problems, and/or damage to the body; rotting body parts as health
deteriorates, a series of respiratory problems; contributes to cancers of the lung,
mouth, lips, nose, sinuses, voice box, oesophagus, stomach, heart and brain
development.

Now I understand the importance of public education on the dangers or harmful

effects of smoking (how smoking affects our health; the short term and long-term
effects of smoking), of becoming more aware and resistant to negative peer
influence, and of applying good practices and cultivating good habits that will
influence my careers choices and goals in life, so I can life a longer and healthier
life.

The project could be improved by relating evidence from this project to published
data about smoking among youths. There was no empirical evidence available to
determine and/or evaluate the most effective treatment and/or medicine to prevent
or help teens discontinue the habit instantly, lessen their crave, or stop smoking
immediately, and no method to match the number of doses to the decrease in
asthma attacks, sinus irritation, problems with sore throat and eyes and
lightheadedness. If this was possible, the evidence could have been more
conclusive.
Bibliography

“Help prevent youth from smoking”. January 1, 2017. Jamaica Observer.

“Jamaican Women Must Be Tobacco Free – National Council on Drug Abuse”.

July 2, 2010. National Council on Drug Abuse.

More Pregnant Women are using marijuana. December 19, 2016. Andrew Joseph.

“Parents Implored to Monitor Children for Smoking.” February 1, 2018. Stacy-

Ann Delevante. Jamaica Information Service (JIS).

Preventing smoking in children and adolescents – NCBI. IMPACTS OF TEEN

SMOKING. 2016. J. Harvey. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov>pmc

Tobacco Regulations Seek To Advance Initiatives To Reduce Demand And

Supply. June 1, 2021. Peta-Gay Hodges. Jamaica Information Service.

Tobacco Use Among Children and Teens/American Lung Association. 3 April

2020. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org>smoking-facts

‘Weed Ed/So, your teenager is smoking weed…Here’s what you should do”.
November 13, 2018. LeVaughn Flynn. Jamaica Gleaner.
Appendix 1

Sample Questionnaire
Instructions: Please tick the box to indicate your response.

1. Are you Male [ ] Female [ ]

2. What age group are you?

a.16 - 19 years [ ], b.20 - 30 years [ ], c. 31 - 40 years[ ], d.41 - 50 years[ ], e. over 60 years [ ]

3. Are you...

a. Single [ ], b. Married [ ], c. Common-Law [ ], d. Divorced/Separated [ ]

4. What is your religion?

a. Christian [ ], b. Mormon [ ], c. Rastafarian [ ], d. Islam [ ], e. Cult [ ]

5. What is your religious denomination?

a.Seventh Day Adventist[ ], b.Apostolic [ ], c.Revivalist [ ], d.Jehovah's Witness [ ],

e. None [ ]

6. What is your highest level of education?

a. Primary [ ] b. Secondary [ ] c. Tertiary [ ]

7. With whom do you live?

a. Parents [ ], b. Relatives [ ], c. Friend [ ], d. Spouse [ ], e. Alone [ ]

7b. Is your home owned by...

a. Rent [ ], b. Family [ ], c. Friend [ ], d. Mortgage [ ] , e. Own home [ ]

8. How long have you resided in the community?

a. Less than 3 years [ ], b. over 5 years [ ], c. over 10 years [ ], d. over 20 years [ ]

9a. What is your occupation?

a. Unemployed [ ], b.Self-Employed [ ], c.Government Job [ ], d.Private Owned Business [ ]

9b. What is your level of income per month?

a.Minimum Wage[ ], b.Over $50,000[ ], c.Over $100,000[ ], d.Over $200,000[ ], e.None [ ]

10. Are you a member of a political party?

a. None [ ], b. J.L.P. [ ], c. P.N.P. [ ], d. N.D.M. [ ]

11a. Is Teenage Smoking a problem in your community?

a. Yes [ ] b. No [ ]

11b. What problems are the main causes of Teenage Smoking?

a. Home & Family Problems[ ], b.Peer Pressure[ ], c.Curiosity [ ], d.Lack of moral guidance [ ],
e. Stress at School [ ]

12. What are the main choices and/or preferences in brands among teenage smokers?

a. Marijuana/Cannabis (Herb/Weed/High Grade) [ ], b. Craven A/Matterhorn Cigarette [ ], c.

Tobacco (“Grabba”) [ ], d. Cigar [ ], e. No Preference [ ],

13a. What are the most common health problems among (adolescent) smokers in your
community?

a. Respiratory (breathing problems eg. Asthma,coughing,sinus) [ ], b. Brain

(headaches/migraines, dizziness, lightheadedness) [ ], c. Stomach problems (indigestion,
gastroenteritis, ulcers) [ ], d. Cancer/Stroke [ ], e. Heart Attack [ ]

13b. On a Rating Scale of 1 to 10, 1 for No and 100% for Yes, Is smoking harmful to
adolescents’ health?

a.Yes [ ] b. No [ ]

14a. What remedies or withdrawal methods are frequently used to cure or treat teenage smokers
and help them quit smoking?

a.Doctors’ Medicine [ ], b. Home Remedies [ ], c. Herbal Remedies [ ], d. Professional

Counselling/Therapy [ ]

14b. How likely are you to quit smoking?

a.Likely [ ], b. More/Most likely [ ], c. Not Sure [ ], d. Never [ ], e. Don’t Smoke [ ],

15. What institutions can best alleviate Juvenile Delinquency?

a. Home [ ], b. School [ ], c. Church [ ], d. Government [ ]

The End

“Thanks for your participation!"

Appendix 2

Results from Questionnaire about Teenage Smoking in my community

A total of 20 questionnaires were distributed to individuals in my community, but

only 10 were returned completed.
In question #1. Are you male [ ] female [ ],

Explanation: 7 (70%) of the respondents are Males, and 3 (30%) are Females.

In question #2. What age group are you? a. 16 - 19 years [ ] b. 20 - 30 years [ ] c. 31 - 40

years [ ] d. 41 - 50 years [] e. over 60 years [ ],

Explanation: 2 (20%) are 16-19 years, 3 (30%) 20-30 years, 2 (20%) 31-40 years, 2 (20%) 41-50
years, and 1 (10%) over 60 years.

In question #3. Are you...

a. Single [ ], b. Married [ ], c. Common-Law [ ], d. Divorced/Separated [ ],

Explanation: 4 (40%) are Single, 1 (10%) Married, 3 (30%) Common-law, and 2 (20%)
Divorced/Separated

In question #4. What is your religion?

a. Christian [ ] b. Mormon [ ] c. Rastafarian [ ] d. Islam [ ] e. Cult [ ] f. No Religion [ ],

Explanation: 5 (50%) are Christians, 0% Mormon, 2 (20%) Rastafarians, 0% Islam, 0% Cult and
3 (30%) No Religion

In question #5. What is your religious denomination?

a.Seventh Day Adventist [ ], b.Apostolic [ ], c.Revivalist [ ], d.Jehovah's Witness [ ], e. None [ ],

Explanation: 2 (20%) are Seventh-Day Adventists, 3 (30%) Apostolic, 1 (10%) Revivalist, 2

(20%) Jehovah's Witness and 2 (20%) None

In question #6. What is your highest level of education?

a. Primary [ ] b. Secondary [ ] c. Tertiary [ ],

Explanation: 1 (10%) Primary, 7 (70%) Secondary and 2 (20%) Tertiary

In question #7a. With whom do you live?

a. Parents [ ] b. Relatives [ ] c. Friend [ ] d. Spouse [ ],

Explanation: 5 (50%) Parents, 3 (30%) Relatives, 1 (10%) Friend and 1 (10%) Spouse

In question #7b. Is your home owned by...

a. Rent [ ], b. Family [ ] c. Friend [ ] d. Mortgage [ ], e. Own Home

Explanation: 3 (30%) Rent, 4 (40%) Family, 2 (20%) Friend, and 1 (10%) Mortgage

In question #8. How long have you resided in the community?

a. Less than 3 years [ ], b. over 5 years [ ], c. over 10 years [ ], d. over 20 years[ ],

Explanation: 2 (20%) less than 3 years, 3 (30%) over 5 years, 3 (30%) over 10 years, and 2
(20%) over 20 years

In question #9a. What is your occupation?

a. Unemployed[ ] b. Self-Employed[ ] c. Government Job[ ] d. Private Owned Business[ ],

Explanation: 4 (40%) Unemployed, 2 (20%) Self-Employed, 3 (30%) Government Job, and 1

(10%) Private Owned Business

In question #9b. What is your level of income per month?

a. Minimum Wage [ ], b. Over $50,000 [ ], c. Over $100,000 [ ], d. Over $200,000 [ ], e.

None [ ],

Explanation: 6 (60%) Minimum Wage, 2 (20%) over $50,000, 2 (20%) over $100,000, and 0%
over $200,000

In question #10. Are you a member of a political party?

a. J.L.P. [ ] b. P.N.P. [ ] c. N.D.M. [ ], d. None [ ],

Explanation: 6 (60%) JLP, 3 (30%) PNP, 0% NDM, and 1 (10%) None

In question #11a. Is Teenage Smoking a problem in your community?

a. Yes [ ] b. No [ ],

Explanation: 4 (40%) Yes, and 6 (60%) No

In question #11b. What problems are the main causes of Teenage Smoking?

a. Stress of Home & Family Problems [ ] b. Peer Pressure [ ] c. Curiosity [ ] d. Lack of

Moral Guidance [ ]
Explanation: 3 (30%) Stress of Home & Family Problems, 3 (30%) Peer Pressure, 2 (20%)
Curiosity, and 2 (20%) Lack of Moral Guidance

In question #12. What are the main choices and/or preferences in brands among teenage
smokers?

a.Marijuana (Herb/Weed/High Grade) [ ], b. Craven A Cigarette [ ], c. Matterhorn Cigarette [ ],

d. Tobacco [ ], e. Cigar [ ], f. No Preference [ ],

Explanation: 5 (50%) Marijuana (Herb/Weed/High Grade), 2 (20%) Craven A Cigarette, 1 (10%)

Matterhorn Cigarette, 1 (10%) Tobacco, 0% Cigar, and 1 (10%) No Preference

In question #13a. What are the most common health problems among (adolescent) smokers in
your community?

a. Respiratory (breathing problems eg. Asthma,sinus) [ ], b. Brain (headaches/migraines,

dizziness, lightheadedness) [ ], c. Stomach problems (indigestion, gastroenteritis, ulcers) [ ], d.
Cancer/Stroke [ ], e. Heart Attack [ ]

Explanation: 3 (30%) Respiratory (breathing problems, eg. Asthma, sinus), 3 (30%) Brain
(headaches, migraines, dizziness, lightheadedness), 2 (20%) Stomach problems (indigestion,
gastroenteritis, ulcers), 1 (10%) Cancer/Stroke, and 1 (10%) Heart Attack

In question #13b. On a Rating Scale of 1 to 10, 1 for No and 100% for Yes, Is smoking harmful
to adolescents’ health?

a. Yes [ ] b. No [ ],

Explanation: 90% (9 respondents) said Yes, and 10% (1 respondent) said No

In question 14a. What remedies or withdrawal methods are frequently used to cure or treat
teenage smokers and help them quit smoking?

a.Doctors’ Medicine [ ], b. Home Remedies [ ], c. Herbal Remedies [ ], d. Professional

Counselling [ ],

Explanation: 4 (40%) Doctors’ Medicine, 2 (20%) Home Remedies, 1 (10%) Herbal Remedies,
and 3 (30%) Professional Counselling

In question #14b. How likely are you to quit smoking?

a.Likely[ ], b. More/Most likely[ ], c. Not Sure[ ], d. Never [ ], e. Don’t Smoke[ ],

Explanation: 1 (10%) Likely, 2 (20%) More/Most Likely, 2 (20%) Not Sure, 0% Never, and 5
(50%) Don’t Smoke
In question #15. What institutions can best prevent or reduce the numbers of Teenage Smokers?

a. Home [ ], b. School [ ], c. Church [ ], d. Government and Medical Practitioners [ ],

Explanation: 4 (40%) Home, 3 (30%) School, 1 (10%) Church, and 2 (20%) Government and
Medical Practitioners