Teenagers who smoke are more likely to have symptoms of depression.

(Baonghean.vn) – Scientists at the University of Montreal in Canada have just discovered that smoking can increase the risk of depressive symptoms in adolescents. The results of this study were published in the journal Addictive Behaviors.

More and more young people are smoking, especially minors. Photo: Internet

In their study, scientists used a questionnaire to investigate 662 adolescents from grades 7 to 11 about the issue of smoking. The schools with students participating in the study included both urban and rural areas, in areas with different income levels. The study participants were divided into three groups, including: those who have never smoked; those who smoke but do not use them to improve physical or mood problems; and those who smoke for the purpose of losing weight or relieving stress...

Children are often easily influenced by TV shows, movies, the internet, advertising and often imitate their peers. Therefore, minors are the most vulnerable to the tobacco industry. They are not yet aware of the terrible effects of tobacco on health.

Furthermore, teenagers are not at the age to think about the later consequences such as cancer, emphysema, blindness and impotence caused by smoking. Up to 70% of smokers start smoking when they are under 18 years old. Many start at 11 years old and some are addicted by 14 years old. Vietnam is one of the countries with the highest rate of male smoking in the world. More and more young people are smoking, especially teenagers.

Depressive symptoms were measured using a scale that assessed whether participants had trouble sleeping, felt unhappy, sad or depressed, felt hopeless about the future, worried or tense, or worried about many things. The results showed that people who used tobacco as a mood enhancer were at higher risk of depressive symptoms than those who never smoked.

Scientists at the University of Otago in New Zealand have previously found a link between smoking and the risk of depression. By examining the smoking habits and depressive symptoms of more than 1,000 volunteers, combined with a new technique called structural equation modeling, the study concluded that smoking doubles the risk of developing depressive symptoms.

Scientists added that nicotine in cigarettes changes and disrupts neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to an increased risk of depression in people dependent on nicotine./.

Thanh Son

(Synthetic)