The Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Health of UK Teenage Population

This research report investigates the impact of cigarette smoking on the health of UK teenagers, utilizing quantitative research methods and SPSS analysis. The study explores the prevalence of smoking among teenagers, the factors influencing their smoking habits, and potential strategies for smoking cessation. Findings indicate that family influence plays a significant role in teenage smoking initiation, but also reveals a willingness among teenagers to quit smoking with appropriate support. The report highlights the health consequences of smoking, including cancer and respiratory issues, and concludes that while smoking rates are rising, interventions and guidance are crucial for reducing smoking among young people in the UK. Desklib offers a platform to access this and other solved assignments for students.

Quantitative Research
Methods for Social Scientists

ABSTRACT
The current research report is being commissioned to analyse the impact of cigarette
smoking on the health of person – a study on UK teenage population. The researcher has
formulated different small objectives and for the purpose of fulfilling these objectives,
quantitative analysis was being adopted which was being done through seeking help from
SPSS tool. The overall findings of the study suggests that teenagers are mostly inclined
towards smoking due to their family members, as they also smoke. Nevertheless, are willing
to quit smoking by seeking appropriate guidance. The final section of the report concludes
that prevalence regarding cigarette smoking is rising continuously among the teenager and
are willing to stop smoking seeking appropriate guidance.

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................
Background of the study.............................................................................................................
Research aim...............................................................................................................................
Research objectives.....................................................................................................................
Research questions......................................................................................................................
Rationale of the study.................................................................................................................
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................
Cigarette smoking prevalence among young teenagers..............................................................
Health consequences of cigarette smoking.................................................................................
METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................
Methods used and rationale for these..........................................................................................
Sampling and rationale................................................................................................................
Research process.........................................................................................................................
Ethical considerations.................................................................................................................
Reflexivity...................................................................................................................................
RESULT..........................................................................................................................................
Cross tabulation...........................................................................................................................
DISCUSSION..................................................................................................................................
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................
APPENDIX 1...................................................................................................................................
APPENDIX 2.................................................................................................................................
APPENDIX 3.................................................................................................................................

TOPIC – The impact of cigarette smoking on the health of person. a study on UK teenage
population
INTRODUCTION
Background of the study
One of the biggest issues in the world of health is the issue related to smoking. It has
been found out that in the year 2018, there has been augmentation in the smokers at the age
of 10 to 18 years by nine percent in comparison to that in the year 2013. It is quite dreaded
that the this increase in the number will in turn augment the number of diseases at the young
age. Considering this, the current research is being undertaken for analysing the influence of
cigarette smoking on the health of UK teenagers (Fuller, 2018). Because the content of the
cigarette can cause different side effects in almost all the organs of the body.
Research aim
The main aim of the current research report is “to analyse the impact of cigarette
smoking on the health of person – a study on UK teenage population”.
Research objectives
 To evaluate the impact of cigarette smoking on the health of teenagers
 To analyze the factors which causes them to smoke
 To recommend strategies for stopping smoking
Research questions
 What is the impact of cigarette smoking on the health of teenagers?
 Which factors might cause teenagers to smoke?
 How teenagers can stop or lesson down cigarette smoking?
Rationale of the study
The current research study is being undertaken to throw some light and enlighten the
young adults about the impact of cigarette smoking on their health, thus, helping them to
reduce or quite smoking. Further, the study will be also going to support and aid the
researcher and practitioners who are doing or planning to conduct study in respect of the
current topic being chosen.
1

LITERATURE REVIEW
Cigarette smoking prevalence among young teenagers
According to Proctor (2019), smoking, drugs and drinking among the younger
population have been increasing with the passage of time. It has been estimated that every
year more than 207000 children in the UK begin smoking and among the adult smokers
around two third reports that they have started smoking prior the age of 18 and more than
eighty percent prior the age of 20.2.
Figure 1: Percentage of regular smokers aged 11-15 by sex
(Hopkinson and et.al, 2017).
Further, the percentage of children who have ever smoked is continuously declining.
In the year 2018, sixteen percent of the children falling in the age group 11-15 years had
smoked at least one. The prevalence of regular smoking is also augmenting with the age that
is zero percent of 11 years olds to five percent years old.
Health consequences of cigarette smoking
According to DiFranza and et.al. (2020), there are several health consequences of
cigarette smoking among the young teenage. The major among them is cancer. Smoking is
the important risk factor for triggering cancer as there are different carcinogenic substances
which are found in cigarettes. Besides, as per Horne and et.al. (2014), smoking also gives
invitation to cytotoxic cells as well as inflammatory cells to activate a pro-inflammatory
consequence on the nasal cells which can impact the lungs of the teenagers. On the other
hand, according to (), cigarettes have the properties to cause inflammation which might have
a severe impact of the functioning of the heart. Nevertheless, Raina and et.al. (2015), have
stated that for girl teenagers, smoking of cigarette might result in infertility and can impact
their reproduction system.
METHODOLOGY
Methods used and rationale for these
Data collection
2

For the current research purposes, the researcher has utilized both primary and
secondary data collection method. Primary data is being gathered through carrying out the
survey of 20 teenagers with the help of developing a questionnaire. On the other hand,
secondary data is being collected through exploration of different scholarly articles, journals,
books and online resources in concerned with the topic understudy.
Data analysis
In the current research work, the researcher has utilized quantitative analysis method
for analysing the data wherein SPSS tool is being adopted. This is being selected as it offers
more valid and reliable results (Bairagi and Munot, 2019).
Sampling and rationale
The sample size being selected for the primary research study is 20 teenagers. It has
been selected by adopting simple random sampling method so that each and every individual
in the whole population has an equal chance of getting selected.
Research process
In the current research work, the researcher has first identified the main aim and
objectives of the study and based on that research questions are being framed. Afterwards the
literature review and primary research study is being performed and methods for evaluating
the information is being adopted. Finally, the conclusion is being written as the completion of
the study.
Ethical considerations
There are some ethical considerations which have been considered in this present
work. It has been made sure that the confidentiality of the personal information of the
participants being involved in the study is being maintained. Further, prior approval of the
participants has been taken and they are not been forced to involve in the study. All the
secondary sources are being obtained from reliable and authentic sources (Ngozwana, 2018).
Reflexivity
My research project has utilized quantitative analysis using SPSS for analysing the
impact of cigarette smoking on the health of UK teenage population. I was quite interested in
doing this research as I came across with one teenage in my childhood days who was facing
the same situation. Thus, I initially the devised the questions for survey on the basis of my
experience. I have also referred literatures in regards with cigarette smoking and their
impacts.
3

RESULT
Cross tabulation
With the help of cross tabulation table 19, it is clear that the significance value is
0.017 which is less than standard and it implies that majority of the people have tried
smoking before. Along with this the table 25 has the significance value of 0.691 and this
implies that other people within the family do not smoke much. Furthermore, with help of the
table 55 it is clear that the most of the people that is 13 states that they will recommend others
to not smoke and this will help them in reducing the habit of smoking in others. In addition to
this, with the help of the cross-tabulation table 46, it is quite clearly that the significance
value is 0.691 and this signifies that the students are in favour of stopping smoking.
Frequency interpretation
From table 18, which shows whether the young people have smoked earlier or not
than it was originated that around 13 out of 20 stated that they have smoked before and on the
other hand, there were 7 out of 20 who were of the view that they have not smoked earlier.
Further, from table 27 which shows whether any family members smoke than it was revealed
that 13 out of 20 stated that yes, their family member also smoke cigarette. On contrary, there
were 7 out of 20 participants who stated that their family members do not smoke. Finally,
from the table 55 which reflects the suggestion to other for stopping smoking than it was
found out that 13 out of 20 stated that they will suggest other to quit smoking however the
remaining participants that is 7 out of 20 stated that they will not suggest other to quit smoke.
DISCUSSION
From the above evaluation of the results being obtained, the overall findings suggest
that they are aware of the fact that cigarette is dangerous and not good for their health and
they will make efforts to stop smoking. Further, it has also been found out that they also
desire to stop smoking and will even suggest others to quite smoking as it has a severe impact
on the health of the teenagers. Both the secondary and the primary research coincide that the
cigarette smoking among the teenagers have been augmented from the past few years and this
is being supported by the primary evidence which shows that around 60 percent of the
teenagers have already smoked before (Raina and et.al., 2015). Other than this, the overall
findings of the study based on the quantitative analysis and secondary analysis suggests that
teenagers are mostly inclined towards smoking due to their family members, as they also
smoke. Nevertheless, are willing to quit smoking by seeking appropriate guidance.
4

CONCLUSION
Thus, from the above analysis and findings it can be concluded that prevalence
regarding cigarette smoking is rising continuously among the teenagers of UK. Furthermore,
smoking cigarette have variety of health consequences such a s cancer, inflammation in
lungs, issues in reproduction system, cardiovascular diseases and so forth. However, the
young people are quite aware about the impacts it has on their health and are also willing to
stop smoking seeking appropriate guidance. Overall, it can be said that teenagers are mostly
inclined towards smoking due to their family members, as they also smoke and thus, it is
highly suggested to change this habit for the betterment of the young teenage population.
5

REFERENCES
Books and journals
Bairagi, V. and Munot, M.V., 2019. Research methodology: A practical and scientific
approach. CRC Press.
DiFranza, J., Rigotti, N., McNeill, A., Ockene, J., Savageau, J., Cyr, D. and Coleman, M.,
2020. Initial symptoms of nicotine dependence in adolescents. Tobacco Control. (9)3.
Fuller, E., 2018. Drug Use, Smoking and Drinking Among Young People in England in
2007, Information Centre for Health and Social Care.
Hopkinson, N., Lester-George, A., Ormiston-Smith, N., Cox, A. and Arnott, D., 2017. Child
uptake of smoking by area across the UK. Thorax. 69(9). pp.873-875.
Horne, A.W., Brown, J.K., Nio-Kobayashi, J., Abidin, H.B., Adin, Z.E. and Boswell, L.,
2014. The association between smoking and ectopic pregnancy: why nicotine is bad
for your fallopian tube. PloS One. 9(2). p.89400.
Ngozwana, N., 2018. Ethical dilemmas in qualitative research methodology: Researcher’s
reflections. International Journal of Educational Methodology. 4(1). pp.19-28.
Proctor, R.N., 2019. Tobacco and the global lung cancer epidemic. Nature Review of Cancer.
1. pp.82-86.
Raina, R., Krishna, M., Murali, R., Shamala, A., Yalamalli, M. and Kumar, V.A., 2015.
Knowledge, attitude and behavioural determinants of tobacco use among 13–15-year-old
school children. Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community
Dentistry. 5(4). pp.321-6.
6

APPENDIX 1
Table 1- statistical data for all variables
Statistics
Q1.
Which
categor
y of
age do
you
belong
?
Q2.
What
is your
gender
?
Q3.
What
is the
ethnic
group
to
which
you
belong
?
Q4.
Have
you
smoke
before
?
Q5.
Do
anyon
e in
your
family
smoke
?
Q6.
Accordin
g to you
is
smoking
bad for
health?
Q7. Do
you
think
that
smokin
g must
be
banned
within
the
country
?
Q8. Are
you in
favor of
stop
smoking
?
Q9. Have
you taken
any
guidance
for
stopping
smoking
habit from
some
profession
al or
expert?
Q10. Will
you
recommen
d others to
stop
smoking
as well?
N
Valid 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20 20
Missin
g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mean 1.9500 1.5000 2.3000 1.350
0 1.35002.4000 1.3500 1.3500 1.3500 1.3500
Median 2.0000 1.5000 2.0000 1.000
0 1.00002.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000
Mode 2.00 1.00a 2.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Std.
Deviatio
n
.68633 .51299 1.0311
0
.4893
6 .489361.53554 .48936 .48936 .48936 .48936
a. Multiple modes exist. The smallest value is shown
Table 2
Q1. Which category of age do you belong?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid Young 5 25.0 25.0 25.0
Middle 11 55.0 55.0 80.0
Old 4 20.0 20.0 100.0
7

Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 3
Q2. What is your gender?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Male 10 50.0 50.0 50.0
Female 10 50.0 50.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 4
Q3. What is the ethnic group to which you belong?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
White 4 20.0 20.0 20.0
Black 10 50.0 50.0 70.0
Asian 2 10.0 10.0 80.0
Others 4 20.0 20.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 5
Q4. Have you smoke before?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Yes 13 65.0 65.0 65.0
No 7 35.0 35.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 6
8

Q5. Do anyone in your family smoke?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Yes 13 65.0 65.0 65.0
No 7 35.0 35.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 7
Q6. According to you is smoking bad for health?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Strongly agree 9 45.0 45.0 45.0
Agree 3 15.0 15.0 60.0
Netural 1 5.0 5.0 65.0
Disagree 5 25.0 25.0 90.0
Strongly disagree 2 10.0 10.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 8
Q7. Do you think that smoking must be banned within the country?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
Valid
Yes 13 65.0 65.0 65.0
No 7 35.0 35.0 100.0
Total 20 100.0 100.0
Table 9
Q8. Are you in favour of stop smoking?
Frequency Percent Valid Percent Cumulative
Percent
9