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

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

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

In their study, scientists used questionnaires to survey 662 adolescents in grades 7 through 11 about smoking. The schools where the students participated included those in both urban and rural areas, across different income levels. The participants were divided into three groups: those who had never smoked; those who smoked but did not use cigarettes to improve their physical or mood; and those who smoked for weight loss or to relieve stress.

Children are easily influenced by television programs, movies, the internet, and advertisements, and tend to imitate their peers. Therefore, adolescents are the most vulnerable to exploitation by the tobacco industry. They are not yet aware of the terrible harm that tobacco causes to their health.

Furthermore, teenagers are not at an age to think about the long-term consequences of smoking, such as cancer, emphysema, blindness, and erectile dysfunction. Up to 70% of smokers start smoking before they are 18 years old. Many start as early as 11, and some are addicted by the age of 14. Vietnam has one of the highest rates of male smoking in the world. More and more young people are smoking, especially teenagers.

Depressive symptoms were measured using a scale assessing whether participants had trouble falling asleep, felt unhappy, sad or depressed, felt hopeless about the future, anxious or stressed, or overly worried about many things. The results showed that those who used tobacco as a mood stimulant had a higher risk of experiencing depressive symptoms compared to those who never smoked.

Previously, scientists at the University of Otago in New Zealand also discovered a link between smoking and the risk of depression. By surveying the smoking habits and depressive symptoms of over 1,000 volunteers, combined with a new technique, also known as structural equation modeling, the study concluded that smoking doubles the risk of developing depressive symptoms.

Scientists further explain that nicotine in cigarettes alters and disrupts neurotransmitters in the brain, leading to an increased risk of depression in nicotine-dependent individuals.

Thanh Son

(Synthetic)