Pernicious habits: smoking
According to the World Health Organization, the problems caused by alcohol nicotine, drug abuse are not only individual problems but affect the health, security and the prosperity of whole nations. What is more, they affect national development in general.
Smoking is one of the most widespread pernicious habits leading to serious health problems. That's why many attempts have been made to prevent or restrict the sale of cigarettes on the government level in many countries. For example, smoking is now forbidden in public areas, such as pubs, cafes, parks, restaurants and so on in some European countries. Another way to decrease the number of smokers nationwide is to increase duties and taxes so that cigarette manufacturers are forced to increase the price of their products for end consumers. Those who are on a low budget will think twice before buying another pack.
The list of detrimental consequences caused by smoking is long enough. It's been already proven that the life interval of a smoker is 7-15 years shorter than the life of a non-smoker. Besides, the sickness rate of smokers is several times as high as the sickness rate of non-smokers. Medics have counted that smoking is responsible for 90% of deaths caused by lung cancer, 75% - by bronchitis, and 50% by coronary disease. Smoking affects the physical strength, reaction, memory, it also decreases sexual potency. The chemical substances contained in the cigarette smoke also negatively affect the digestive system.