Theme: Teenager's Health

Many people light their first cigarette when they are teenagers. They are often asked by friends to try smoking or find that those who smoke look cool. Although most teenagers are aware that smoking may eventually lead to lung cancer, heart diseases and other serious illnesses, many are unaware of the harmful effects of smoking.

A cigarette contains thousands of chemicals, many of which are poisonous. The worst ones include nicotine (a deadly poison), arsenic (used in rat poison), carbon monoxide (part of car exhaust) and many more. Each breath of smoke inhaled from a cigarette will draw the chemicals into the bloodstream through the lungs. These chemicals then travel to all parts of the body and cause immense harm.

In this issue, we bring you information about smoking and teenagers. For more information about the listed books, search our online catalogue at http://www.nl.sg. Journal articles are available from the National Library Board eResources at http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg

BOOKS

All rights reserved, Mason Crest, 2009

Teenagers and tobacco: Nicotine and the adolescent brain

Sharp, K. J.
Broomall, Pa.: Mason Crest, c2009
Call No.: 613.85 SHA

This book is part of the 11-volume series, Tobacco the deadly drug, that discusses the issue of smoking among teenagers from 11 different perspectives. Teenagers and tobacco first looks at how the brain works, why it is different from the adult brain and highlights the uniqueness of the teenage brain. It then discusses why people smoke and how nicotine works as well as its long-term effects. The text is easy-to-understand and offers young readers the facts and the latest research about smoking to enable them to make informed decisions. The colourful photos and fun illustrations make the text attractive to teen readers.

Smoking 101: An Overview for teens

Hyde, M. O.
Minneapolis, Minn.: Twenty-First Century Books, c2006
Call No.: 616.865 HYD

All rights reserved, Twenty-First Century Books, c2006

This book understands the teen audience and provides well-presented facts and insightful messages about the effects of smoking on the body. It also explains the different types of tobacco products, the nature of tobacco advertising and an overview of the cigarette industry, together with charts and illustrations. The tone used is non-judgmental and gives realistic information about smoking.

See also:

You may also be interested in these books from the National Library Singapore and the Public Libraries. For more information about the book, search our online catalogue by typing the book title at: http://www.nl.sg

When things get crazy with your teen: The Why, the how, and what to do now

Bradley, M. J.
New York: McGraw-Hill, c2009
Call No.: 649.125 BRA -[FAM]

False images, deadly promises: Smoking and the media

Malaspina, A.
Broomall, Pa.: Mason Crest, c2009
Call No.: 659.19679730973 MAL

Teen smoking

Edited by Stefan Kiesbye
Detroit, MI: Greenhaven Press, c2008
Call No.: 362.29608350973 TEE

A talk with your kids about smoking [videorecording]

[United States]: Victory Multimedia, 2007
1 videodisc (ca. 38 min.)
Call No.: 362.296 TAL -[HEA]

Why kids smoke [videorecording]

Wynnewood, PA: Schlessinger Media, 2006
1 videodisc (23 min.)
Call No.: 362.2962 WHY

Clearing the haze: A Teen's guide to smoking-related health issues

Esherick, J.
Philadephia, Pa: Mason Crest Publishers, 2005
Call No.: 613.85 E

Peddling poison: The Tobacco industry and kids

Snell, C.
Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2005
Call No.: R 362.29608350973 SNE -[HEA]

Smoking concerns sourcebook: Basic consumer health information about nicotine addiction and smoking cessation

Karen B. (editor)
Detroit, MI: Omnigraphics, c2004
Call No.: R 616.865 SMO

WEBSITES

Smoking: don't let it steer you wrong: facts for teens
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/addictions/tobacco/274.html

Provides valuable information on what teens need to know about smoking, from what's inside a cigarette and how to say no to tobacco to how to quit smoking. It is suitable for teenagers and parents.

Smoking
http://kidshealth.org/teen/drug_alcohol/tobacco/smoking.html

This article gives many interesting facts with photographs of damaged organs caused by the harmful effects of smoking. It is suitable for teenagers, to develop a better understanding of the harmful effects of smoking.

Tobacco Control Networks
http://www.ttac.org/TCN/tfp/2009/february-2009/youth_prev.html

This website highlights the research and studies done on youth and smoking, anti-smoking efforts and public initiatives. It is suitable for parents and anyone interested to help teenagers quit smoking.

JOURNAL

Parental smoking, closeness to parents, and youth smoking

Wilson, D. et al. American Journal of Health Behavior, May/Jun2007, Vol. 31 Issue 3, p261-271, 11p

Findings show that parents have powerful influences on youth behaviour; this also includes unhealthy habits such as smoking. Children with one or more parents who smoke at home are more likely to pick up smoking. This study suggests placing greater emphasis on family ties and introduces strategies to address the trend of parents who smoke as a way to tackle teen smoking in the United States.

Available from EBSCOHost database

Butting Out

Thomas, R. and Lorenzetti, D. Family Health. Edmonton: Winter 2007. Vol. 23, Iss. 4; pg. 29, 2 pgs

Research findings show that mentoring may prevent kids from picking up smoke, or help them to quit. Through a supportive relationship between an adult (as mentor) and a younger person, the mentor can readily share their experiences and give guidance and support when the youth has problems.

Available from Proquest Central database

NEW ARRIVALS

Take a sneak peak at new books from the National Library Singapore. For more information about the book, search the catalogue at: http://www.nl.sg

All rights reserved, American Psychological Association, c2009

Body image, eating disorders, and obesity in youth: Assessment, prevention, and treatment

Smolak, L. and Thompson, J. K. (editors)
Washington, DC: American Psychological Association, c2009
Call No.: R 618.928526 BOD

Identifies the social, cultural, and familial factors affecting body image and eating patterns across ethnic groups and genders. This second edition provides comprehensive information on the current research, assessment techniques, and suggestions for treatment and prevention of eating disorders. Some specific topics discussed are assessment of body image in children and adolescents, obesity prevention and harm reduction, behavioral treatment, and plastic surgery for children and adolescents. This book will be of interest to clinicians, researchers, and students.

The inner world of a suicidal youth: What Every parent and health professional should know

Osborne, M.
Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 2008
Call No.: R 362.280835 OSB

All rights reserved, Praeger, 2008

A well-loved, beautiful and highly intelligent teenager called Electra becomes so depressed that she contemplates suicide. After deliberating about it for many years, she finally decides to end her life. Electra's diary was discovered after her death and presented in this book by the author who is a psychiatrist and Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatrist and Behavioral Sciences. The content reveals her reflections and her inner world. Using the diary's entries, the author shows how thought distortions are caused and how they affect self-esteem and the will to survive. She also emphasises that changes are needed to develop effective suicide prevention and treatment strategies. Students, educators, parents, counsellors and public health professionals will find this book enlightening and also useful in understanding the adolescent mind.

Written by Sara Pek
Senior Librarian (Reference & Research Services)
National Library Singapore

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