Health Hazards

• A health hazard is anything that can cause harm to a person's health.
• They may lead to illness, injury, or long-term health problems.
• Health hazards can be physical, chemical, biological, or lifestyle-related.

Smoking

- Smoking is the :highlight[leading cause of preventable death], causing illnesses like lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory problems.

Effects of Smoking

On the Individual	On the Family	On Society
Causes serious health issues (e.g., lung cancer, throat cancer, heart disease).	Babies of smokers are at higher risk of stillbirth or low birth weight.	Increased burden on healthcare systems and resources.
Premature skin ageing and discoloured teeth.	Family members exposed to passive smoking face similar health risks.	Environmental pollution due to cigarette butts.

Government Responses to Smoking

• High taxes on cigarettes to make them expensive.
• Smoking banned in public places.
• Illegal to sell cigarettes to anyone under 18.
• Health warnings on cigarette packaging.
• Programs like Quit.ie to help people stop smoking.

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Vaping

• Vaping is the act of inhaling vapour from an e-cigarette or vape device.
• The vapour usually contains nicotine, flavourings, and other chemicals.
• It is often marketed as a "safer alternative" to smoking, but health risks still exist, especially for young people.

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Effects of Vaping

On the Individual	On the Family	On Society
Nicotine addiction can develop quickly, especially in teenagers.	Worry and stress for parents if young people begin vaping.	Growing healthcare costs as long-term health effects emerge.
Linked to lung problems (e.g. "vaping-related lung injury"), coughing, and breathing difficulties.	Vape use at home exposes others to second-hand vapour.	Environmental impact from disposable vapes and battery waste.
May affect brain development in adolescents, leading to poor concentration and memory.	Family finances can suffer due to ongoing costs of devices and refills.	Increased pressure on governments to regulate and ban flavoured products aimed at teens.

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Government Responses to Vaping

• Ban on sale to under-18s in Ireland (since 2023).
• Proposals to ban single-use disposable vapes due to environmental damage.
• Health campaigns to raise awareness of risks, similar to anti-smoking ads.
• Restrictions on advertising, packaging, and flavours that target young people.
• School and community programmes warning against early nicotine addiction.

Alcohol Abuse

- Excessive drinking can lead to physical, mental, and social problems.

- Binge drinking (drinking excessive amounts in a short time) is common among teenagers.

Effects of Alcohol Abuse

On the Individual	On the Family	On Society
Increased risk of diseases like liver damage, heart disease, and cancers.	Parents abusing alcohol may neglect children's care or routines.	Alcohol-related road accidents account for over one-third of fatal crashes.
Damage to brain cells and memory loss.	Financial problems due to spending money on alcohol.	Costs to businesses due to absenteeism and poor work performance.

Government Responses to Alcohol Abuse

• Alcohol is heavily taxed to discourage consumption.
• Drink-driving limits and penalties for violations have been increased.
• Advertisements like Drinkaware.ie encourage responsible drinking.
• Selling alcohol to under 18s is illegal.
• Treatment centres provide support for alcohol addiction.

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Illegal Drugs

- Illegal drugs harm individuals, their families, and society.

- Drugs are classified into legal (e.g., caffeine), controlled (e.g., antibiotics), and illegal (e.g., heroin, cocaine).

Effects of Illegal Drug Use

On the Individual	On the Family	On Society
Increased risk of infections like HIV from injected drugs.	Parents abusing drugs may neglect children's needs, e.g., healthy meals.	Drug abuse puts pressure on public health resources.
Serious mental health issues, e.g., depression, psychosis.	Financial strain on families due to drug expenses.	Drug abuse contributes to violence and crime.

Government Responses to Illegal Drugs

• Possession of illegal drugs is punishable by law.
• Helplines like the HSE Drugs Helpline provide advice and support.
• Needle exchange programs reduce harm to those using injectable drugs.
• Drug treatment centres offer rehabilitation for addicts.

Voluntary Organisations

• Narcotics Anonymous (NA): Support for drug addiction recovery.
• RISE (Recovery in a Safe Environment): Educates families on dealing with addiction.
• RADE (Recovery through Arts, Drama, and Education): Uses creative outlets for recovery.