When it comes to smoking, the national statistics are worrying. A large part of Romania's population faces this vice, but things could be worse, say psychologists.
Child smoking PHOTO SOURCE Shutterstock
At the same time, the recorded figures indicate that Romanians are not fans of electronic cigarettes, which are seen as the main method by which to give up classic cigarettes.
How many Romanians smoke, really?
According to a study carried out by the Eurispes Institute, Romania has one of the highest rates of smoking in the European Union. Thus, approximately 32% of Romanians smoke, this percentage representing around five million people. At the same time, the figures show us that Romanians are not fans of electronic cigarettes. Only 1.5%, i.e. approximately 235,000 people, of them turned to this method in favor of classic cigarettes, the Eurispes Institute also states.
Psychologists claim that the situation would be much worse, given that the study refers only to adults. Specialists claim that, in recent years, smoking starts at younger and younger ages.
“We don't know how much we can take this statistic seriously, given that it only refers to the adult population of the country. In Romania there are also many minors who smoke. We find that smoking starts at younger and younger ages. There are even children as young as 11-12 years old who consume tobacco products or smoke from the newly released gadgets. The situation is, in reality, much worse than the statistics show“, stated Pavel Gornea, a psychologist specializing in addictions.
Young people fall more and more easily into the trap of smoking
Psychologists also claim that young people fall very easily into the trap of this vice, which is extremely widespread at the national and global level. Even though electronic cigarettes are seen as a healthier alternative to traditional cigarettes, experts claim that they can also be harmful to the body.
“Young people are attracted to interesting, beautifully colored gadgets, to the aromas of electronic cigarettes. It is said that they are not that harmful, but the long-term effects are not yet known, as these devices have not been on the market for a long time. Only after another 10 years or so will we be able to talk about the negative effects“, added the psychologist.
