《TAIPEI TIMES》Smoking could worsen facial wrinkles: HPA

A woman uses an e-cigarette in a negative pressure smoking room next to the Zhongshan MRT station in Taipei. Photo: Tien Yu-hua, Taipei Times

By Lee I-chia / Reporter

The Health Administration of the Ministry of Health and Welfare pointed out yesterday that smoking women aged 40 or above have a 3.1 times higher risk of developing moderate to severe facial wrinkles than non-smoking women.

The department cited a US study that examined the association between "pack-years of smoking" and facial wrinkles in men and women.

The study subjects included 299 never smokers, 551 former smokers and 286 current smokers, aged 30 to 69 years old, all from a health maintenance organization.

The study assessed participants' smoking status, pack-years of smoking and other variables using questionnaires.

Participants' facial wrinkles were clinically examined and scored by blinded investigators using standardized visual assessment methods.

Because visible wrinkles are so rare in people aged 30 to 39, the analysis was limited to subjects over 40, which included 227 never smokers, 456 former smokers and 228 current smokers.

The department stated that the study concluded that after controlling for age, average sun exposure and body mass index, current smokers are 2.3 times more likely to develop moderate to severe wrinkles than non-smokers, while women are 3.1 times more likely to develop them.

The study noted that "women may be more sensitive to the effects of smoking on facial wrinkles."

The department emphasizes that changes in appearance are only part of the negative effects of smoking. Chronic health damage and reduced quality of life have far-reaching consequences.

With Girls Day in Taiwan coming up this Sunday, the department encourages girls to understand the health risks of tobacco and nicotine products and make healthy choices for themselves.

The agency stated that empowering girls requires building their knowledge, skills and confidence, and developing health literacy early can help girls protect their own health in the face of peer pressure, external environmental factors and aggressive marketing.

Research by the World Health Organization estimates that 37 million children aged 13 to 15 use tobacco worldwide. The agency pointed out that the tobacco industry uses a variety of strategies to target young customers, including the use of bright, fashionable, high-tech product designs, and active promotion through social media and Internet celebrities.

When faced with marketing messages such as “cute,” “fashionable,” or “everyone is using it,” girls should look beyond packaging appearance and not let it influence their health decisions.

The department stated that adolescence is a critical stage for the development of the brain, lungs and whole body. The earlier nicotine is exposed, the higher the risk of addiction and continued use.

Girls are advised to say "no" to the first try and stay away from all cigarettes, e-cigarettes and other tobacco or nicotine products.

News source: TAIPEI TIMES

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