Wednesday, 01 November 2023 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Various factors like the desire for status, less parental interaction and the easy availability of cigarettes have contributed to the inclination of women towards smoking. Experts have emphasised that the prevalence of smoking among women in Dehradun has increased by an average of 40 per cent compared to past years. They state that smoking can have more adverse effects on the female body in comparison to males.
Considering this, clinical psychologist Dr Pratibha Sharma said that the trend of smoking has become increasingly common not only among teenage girls but also among married women in the city. Additionally, women living in the plains have greater access to smoking as compared to those living in mountainous regions, she said. She further added that the increase in cigarette consumption among teenage girls can be attributed to the feeling of independence, lack of communication with parents and the desire for a status symbol. It is important to note that smoking cigarettes can have detrimental effects on a woman’s body, particularly in terms of fertility. To combat this habit, girls should prioritise increasing their physical activity, Sharma said.
Gynaecologist Dr Sujata Sanjay said, “Consumption of cigarettes is not only detrimental to men but also to women. Smoking has increasingly become a concerning trend among women in recent times. Women are often unaware of the detrimental effects it can have on their bodies. Teenage girls who smoke can suffer from conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and hormonal imbalances. Additionally, married women who smoke may encounter difficulties conceiving a child due to the harmful effects of smoking on the womb. In order to address the rising trend of smoking among women, awareness programmes, particularly targeting school going girls who are highly influenced by social media, play a crucial role,” she said.
