Today, we know more than ever about the dangers of cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, illegal drugs, and even some medicinal drugs. Despite this, many people, including young individuals, still choose to smoke, drink too much, or use drugs for non-medical reasons. Why does this happen? One of the biggest reasons is the influence of others. The attitudes of people around us, especially at home, can greatly affect our choices. If parents smoke or drink, their children are more likely to try these habits and continue them into adulthood. However, peer pressure is even more powerful. Friends can influence everything from the clothes we wear to the music we listen to, and yes, even our decisions about drugs and alcohol. Studies show that if your friends smoke, you’re twice as likely to start smoking too. While being a teenager is about finding independence, it’s also a time when fitting in feels very important. This need to belong can lead some teens to try drugs like ecstasy, especially if they see their friends having fun with it.
There was a time when people didn’t know how dangerous smoking was. Today, most people understand the risks, which helps prevent many from starting, unless they’re influenced by family or friends. Vaping is newer, and many people mistakenly believe it’s a safer alternative to smoking. This belief is misleading and could be harmful. In the future, we might look back at vaping with the same horror as we do now with smoking in public places like restaurants and airplanes.
Alcohol is often seen as a normal part of social gatherings. In some places, not drinking with friends can lead to unfair judgment. For a long time, alcohol has been linked to celebrations, and seeing adults drink at events like children’s birthday parties isn’t unusual. However, attitudes are slowly changing. A 2023 report showed that young people are leading the way in changing how we view alcohol. Getting drunk isn’t as socially accepted as it used to be, and people are more likely to step in if they see someone binge drinking. This is a big change from a decade ago when such behavior might have been encouraged.
The media often portrays smoking and drinking as glamorous. In movies and TV shows, characters who smoke or drink are sometimes shown as stylish or rebellious, which can be appealing to teens. Some Hollywood comedies have been criticized for making marijuana use seem fun, potentially encouraging young people to try it. However, movies and TV usually show hard drug use in a negative light, with characters who use illegal drugs often depicted as lonely or troubled.
Social media can also influence teenagers to smoke or vape, sometimes as a way to control weight, which is both dangerous and ineffective. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration banned the vape brand Juul from advertising on social media and using influencers. But with few regulations on platforms like TikTok, it’s hard to control young creators who share incorrect information about vaping. Alcohol is also popular on social media, with influencers earning money by promoting drinks to their followers. These promotions often look like relatable content, making it hard for viewers to realize they’re being marketed to.
Where do you see drugs and alcohol in the media? To stay informed about drugs and their risks, visit reliable websites or search for trustworthy information online. If you found this article helpful, you can explore more educational content at clickview.net. Sign up for free today!
Engage in a role-play activity where you and your classmates act out scenarios involving peer pressure related to smoking, drinking, or drug use. Discuss how different responses can lead to different outcomes and reflect on how you might handle similar situations in real life.
Choose a movie, TV show, or social media platform and analyze how it portrays smoking, vaping, or alcohol use. Present your findings to the class, highlighting any glamorization or negative portrayals and discussing the potential impact on viewers.
Participate in a class debate on whether vaping is a safer alternative to smoking. Research both sides of the argument, present your points, and listen to opposing views to develop a well-rounded understanding of the topic.
Create a social media campaign aimed at raising awareness about the risks of smoking, vaping, or alcohol use. Use creative tools to design posters, videos, or posts that could effectively communicate your message to peers.
Research recent trends in alcohol consumption among young people and how attitudes are changing. Prepare a presentation for the class, discussing the factors driving these changes and the potential long-term effects on society.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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– [TV Announcer] The human lung is like a sponge.
– [Narrator] We have more information about the risks of cigarettes, vapes, alcohol, illegal drugs, and medicinal drugs than ever before. However, some people, including young individuals, are still choosing to smoke, drink excessively, and take pills for non-medical reasons. Why is this happening? Across all age groups, the influence of others is the most consistent and significant factor in people starting to use drugs. Attitudes towards smoking, drinking, and drug use in the home play a significant role. Many studies have shown that parental tobacco use leads to higher rates of children and teenagers trying tobacco and continuing the habit into adulthood, and the same applies to alcohol. However, peer pressure has the biggest impact. Adolescents can experience social pressure in various ways, affecting their fashion choices, music preferences, athletic pursuits, pastimes, and social activities. In short, the activities of friends often influence individual choices, including drug use. Studies indicate that having friends who smoke doubles the likelihood that a young person between the ages of 10 and 19 will start smoking. Although adolescence is a time for exploring independence, it is also a period when the need for social acceptance is at its peak. Most teenagers have never tried illegal drugs such as ecstasy, a hallucinogen. However, among those who have, studies found that the desire to fit in with drug-using peers who appeared to be having fun was the main reason for trying it.
– [Commercial Announcer] What cigarette do you smoke, Doctor? More doctors smoke Camels than any other cigarette.
– [Narrator] There was a time when the public was unclear about the risks of smoking, but today, public perception about the dangers of smoking is widespread enough to deter most potential smokers, at least in the absence of family or peer influence. Vapes have not been around long enough to create a lasting cultural impression. Although there is a widespread belief that vapes are a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, this is a misleading and dangerous belief. It is likely that we will look back in horror at the idea of supposedly healthy vaping, just as we do with smoking indoors in restaurants and on planes.
– You can’t have a party without a little drink.
– But I don’t like to drink. It tastes awful. Besides, when you drink too much, you act foolish.
– You call it foolish; we call it fun.
– [Narrator] Alcohol has even fewer cultural taboos. In fact, in some places and social circles, not enjoying a drink among friends is met with unfair judgment. For most of alcohol’s long history, it has been universally associated with celebrations. For some, adults drinking at children’s birthday parties is not considered out of place. However, cultural attitudes are changing, albeit slowly. A 2023 report showed that young people are leading the charge to change the culture of alcohol use. Intoxication is not as socially accepted as it once was, and people are much more likely to intervene when they see someone binge drinking, a stark contrast to a decade ago when such behavior may have been encouraged. Similar trends are being observed in other drinking cultures around the world. The media has played a role in perpetuating the belief that smoking and drinking are glamorous. Characters who smoke or drink in movies and on TV are often depicted as either elegant and chic or tough and rebellious. These traits can be appealing, especially to teens who are beginning to form their adult identities. Several Hollywood comedies have faced criticism for portraying marijuana use in a lighthearted manner, potentially encouraging young people to try it. However, movies and television tend to portray hard drug use less favorably, often depicting characters who use illegal drugs as lonely, desperate, and troubled.
Social media may also contribute to the concerning trend of teenagers smoking or vaping as a means of weight control, a practice that is both dangerous and unreliable. In 2022, the Food and Drug Administration banned major vape brand Juul from advertising on social media and using paid influencers. However, with minimal regulations on platforms like TikTok, young creators sharing inaccurate information about vaping are harder to regulate. Alcohol use is prevalent on social media as well, with influencers earning significant income for promoting alcoholic beverages to their followers. Disguising promotions as relatable content, such as a parent relaxing with a drink after the kids go to bed, makes it challenging for viewers to recognize that they are being marketed to.
Where do you see drugs and alcohol in the media? For more information to help keep you informed about drugs and the associated risks, visit reliable websites or search for trustworthy information online. If you liked this video, you can find it and many more at clickview.net. Sign up for free today!
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This version maintains the core message while removing any potentially inappropriate language or content.
Drugs – Substances that can change the way your body or mind works, often used for medical purposes but can be harmful if misused. – Many teenagers are educated about the dangers of using drugs without a prescription.
Alcohol – A liquid substance found in drinks like beer and wine that can affect your mind and body when consumed. – It is important for teenagers to understand the effects of alcohol on their health and decision-making.
Smoking – The act of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of tobacco or a drug. – Smoking can lead to serious health problems, which is why many schools educate students about its risks.
Vaping – The act of inhaling vapor produced by an electronic cigarette or similar device. – Vaping has become popular among teenagers, but it can still have harmful effects on their health.
Media – Various means of communication, such as television, radio, and the internet, that can influence people’s thoughts and behaviors. – The media often portrays idealized images that can impact teenagers’ self-esteem and body image.
Peers – People who are of the same age group or social status, often influencing each other’s behaviors and attitudes. – Teenagers are often influenced by their peers when it comes to making choices about health and lifestyle.
Influence – The power to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something. – Parents and teachers can have a positive influence on teenagers by encouraging healthy habits.
Attitudes – A settled way of thinking or feeling about someone or something, typically reflected in a person’s behavior. – Teenagers’ attitudes towards health can be shaped by their education and experiences.
Social – Relating to society or its organization, often involving interactions with other people. – Social activities can help teenagers develop important communication skills and friendships.
Teenagers – Young people between the ages of 13 and 19, often experiencing significant physical and emotional changes. – Teenagers face many challenges, including making healthy choices and managing stress.
