Active and Passive Smokers - Research Proposal Example

Abstract Recent researches have shown that passive smokers are at risk of being exposed to the same carcinogens which are carcinogenic as those active smokers. The environmental tobacco smoke is known to contain more than 4000 chemicals and at least 40 carcinogens. These researches has further indicated that the carcinogens are in higher concentrations in the second hand smoke rather than in the mainstream smoke which makes it more harmful for passive smokers. One of the major effects for smoking in public places is that it causes a higher risk of cancer, emphysema heart diseases and other acute and chronic diseases. Cigarette smoking is known to increase the aggregation of blood platelets or the clotting of blood. It also damages the endolithium- a layer of cells in the blood vessels. These adverse effects of both passive and active smoking have prompted many stakeholders to initiate programs concerning awareness of the issue. Introduction Smoking tobacco is described as the process where a person inhales smoke from tobacco plant after it has been dried or cured. Many scholars have carried out research on the effects of smoking. This is in relation to both active and passive smokers. The findings of these surveys have resulted ban of smoking in public places in many countries. (Scollo, 2003) This includes United Kingdom, Norway, Australia, Canada, Italy and Spain among other nations. These public places include restaurants and bars. In this relation, it has been a requirement that these public places built a special place where smoking can take place. This means that other people who are non smokers are well protected. Other public places that are included in the ban are bus stops and workplaces that are located indoors. Research shows that there are many governmental and non governmental organisations that are carrying out health education in relation to smoking. This also includes information campaigns through different media. (Scollo, 2003) Research further shows that there has been an increase in these awareness programs since the onset of the twentieth century. This study was aimed at knowing whether health education on effects of smoking is carried out in the U.K or not. Who and though which means is the awareness carried out. This also includes degree of awareness of those at risk of being affected by smoking. In this research there was the use of different methods of data collection. The research was based on the following hypotheses; (Scollo, 2003) Passive still takes place in U.K Active smoking is still rampant in U.K The public is still not fully aware of dangers of both passive and active smoking There is health education in U.K in relation to smoking Television media is highly used to create awareness on the effects of smoking Methods Various methods were used in getting participants. An advertisement was carried out through television concerning the research. Through this participants were found. Sampling method was used to choose the respondents in this research. The participants included governmental and nongovernmental organisations, active smokers and passive smokers. The data or information was collected through interviews, questionnaires and also observation methods. (Fowler, 1993) In this case questionnaires were prepared and administered to the participants. The participants were divided into groups as follows; governmental and non governmental organisations, active smokers and passive smokers. The interviews were then carried out in each group and findings noted. There was also observation carried out by research assistants situated in different cities in U.K. (Fowler, 1993) Results The results of the research indicated that there is still active smoking in the United Kingdom. The findings indicate that forty eight percent of the men and twenty six of the women in U.K are still active smokers. The information collected from non-governmental and governmental organisations show that the following means are being used to carry out health education and information campaigns. Percentage media use on smoking effects U.K The information collected from interviewing both active and passive smokers in U.K showed that there has been increased awareness since the onset of the twentieth century. The two stakeholders asserted that they were aware of the negative effects of both passive and active smoking. This information was through different avenues including school programs, public educational forums, radio and television. Below is a graph showing the degree of awareness since the year 2000. Table on degree of awareness on effects of smoking in U.K year 2000-2008 Year 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 Degree of awareness 40% 45% 58% 63% 77% The table below shows the percentage degree of passive smoking in U.K. Year 1990 1995 2000 2005 2008 Degree of passive smoking 56% 50% 17% 13% 7% Data analysis Diverse methods were incorporated in this study during the analysis process. A comparative method was used in analysing information accumulated from both passive and active smokers. A line by line method of analysis was used in evaluating the information provided by both governmental and non governmental organisations. This is in relation to health education and also information campaigns that are carried out by the two stakeholders. There was also the use of computerised method in final analysis of data and information accrued. This was through the use of Textual software. This therefore makes the final conclusions of the research to be very reliable. (Fowler, 1993) Discussion The results of this study show that different media have been used to educate and also create awareness about the effects of smoking. Television is one of the media that has been highly used to create the awareness. This is because these medium can reach out to many people and it is quite influential. Other media that have been highly used include radio and electronic media. It is very disheartening that people in U.K still smoke despite the degree of awareness. (Boyle, Autier and Bartelink 2003) From the results of the study, it is apparent that the awareness about effects of smoking has increased since the year two thousand. Many people in U.K currently know that smoking is harmful to a person’s health. They are also aware of dangers of smoking in public places. This is in relation to the effect of the smoke to people around. They are fully aware of this fact since the government banned smoking in public places. The people in U.K are fully aware that smoke from cigarettes is carcinogenic and can therefore cause lung cancer. One can easily develop heart or cardiovascular disease if he or she is an active or even a passive smoker. Furthermore it is quite addictive and can negatively affect and individual’s financial. From the results of the study, it is evident that passive smoking in U.K has reduced since the year two thousand due to the intervention of the U.K government. (Straif, 2005) Conclusion This study was aimed at knowing whether health education on effects of smoking is carried out in the U.K or not. Who and though which means is the awareness carried out. This included the degree of awareness on the issue over the years. Interview, questionnaire and observation methods were used. Line by line, comparative and computerised methods were used in data analysis. It is very clear that both governmental and non-governmental organisations carry out health education and awareness on the effects of smoking in U.K. The results of the study indicate that there has been increased awareness on smoking effects since the year two thousand. Passive smoking has greatly reduced since the year nineteen ninety. It is very clear that through this awareness programs and strategies the percentage of smokers is bound to decrease. Reference: Boyle P, Autier P, Bartelink H. (2003): European Code against Cancer and scientific justification: third version; Ann Oncol; 14 (7); 46-90 Fowler, F. (1993): Survey Research Methods; Newbury Park; CA; Sage; pg102-118 Scollo, M. (2003): Review of the quality of studies on the economic effects of smoke-free environment; Tobacco Control; pgs 13-20 Straif, K. (2005): Tobacco smoking and cancer; a brief review of recent epidemiological evidence. Lung Cancer 45 (2): 109-112 Appendix Below is an example of questionnaire administered to the respondents Questionnaire 1) Do you smoke? YES/NO 2) If yes do you ever smoke in public places? 3) If no, have you ever been in a public place where there was a smoker(s)? 4) Are you aware of dangers of smoking? YES/ NO 5) If yes, how did you know? Through which means? 6) Has public smoking decreased over the years or not? Read More