New Ways, Cigarette Companies Start Getting Teens Addicted to Nicotine, Speakers

Karachi: Students of Hamdard University have told in the annual research seminar that the habit of excessive use of smartphones and the growing trend of social media in isolation among the youth is having an increasingly negative impact on their social lives.

Young people aged 18 years and above are suffering from this disease undetected, 13 research projects were presented at the annual seminar, in which 3 best research projects were awarded.

The first prize was awarded to a research project on the diagnosis of social anxiety disorder among young adults in Karachi and its association with vice.

2nd prize on smartphone addiction, use of social media and social isolation of youth, tobacco harm reduction products and 3rd prize on common women of Sindh (across Thar) on hygiene rules and cleanliness during their special days. Awarded to a research project on cognition.

Muhammadans and Mustafiz Rohma, the group leaders of the project that won the first and second prizes, said that the research revealed that 49.2 percent of the youth use social media for 3 to 6 hours in 24 hours, which has a negative effect on their mental and physical health. The effects are taking place and such young people become victims of social isolation.

Positive aspects of social media aside, however, cyberbullying in isolation and the addiction of young people to games like PUBG often lead their lives to the brink of death. As defined as “social addiction”.

Regarding the use of tobacco, the researchers said that e-tobacco has emerged as an alternative to regular tobacco. E-cigarettes are less harmful than traditional cigarettes, so its demand is increasing day by day.

Leading cigarette companies are focusing on blue cigarettes and now e-cigarettes and making the youth addicted to nicotine in a modern way. They attract people towards them.