Advising Nigerian Youths And Teenagers That Greatness Is Not Found In The Haze Of Smoke Or The Bottom Of A Bottle
It is not news that youths erroneously believe that smoking and drinking can make them great. The reason for their erroneous thinking cannot be farfetched as the social habits of smoking and drinking are often glamorized in the media and popular culture, thus creating a misguided perception of greatness among young people.
Without a doubt, this misconception persists due to some reasons, and they cut across rebellion and independence. This is as many youths associate smoking and drinking with rebellion and independence. Unfortunately, these behaviors can make them feel like they are breaking free from societal norms and asserting their autonomy.
In a similar vein, peer pressure plays a significant role. When friends or influencers engage in these activities, it creates a sense of belonging. In fact, young individuals might believe that adopting similar habits will make them part of an exclusive group.
Also, media portrayal has no doubt exacerbated the approval of the harmful social habits among the youths, and even teenagers as movies, music, and advertisements often depict smoking and drinking as symbols of sophistication, confidence, and success. Without sounding exaggerative in this context, the association with iconic figures or celebrities by the media, particularly through advertisements, reinforces the idea that these behaviors lead to greatness.
Not only that, not a few youths and teenagers have the erroneous notion that either smoking or drinking or both, in most cases provide instant gratification. They believe that smoking and drinking provide immediate effects, such as relaxation or altered mood. Unfortunately, in their collective naivety, they mistake these temporary feelings for a sense of achievement or greatness.
In fact, many youths are unaware of the long-term health consequences of smoking and excessive drinking. They may not fully grasp the damage these habits cause to their bodies and overall well-being.
To worsen the matter, these vulnerable youths and teenagers ignorantly admire some influential figures in the society, such as politicians, activists and celebrities in the entertainment industry, and aspire to be like them, and thereby engage in these behaviors publicly. The situation is further made worse when such role models endorse smoking or drinking, thus perpetuating the myth that greatness is linked to these vices.
However, true greatness lies in positive actions, resilience, and contributions to the society. Given the foregoing, it is germane to opine that encouraging young people to focus on education, personal growth, and meaningful relationships will help them understand that smoking and drinking are not pathways to greatness. Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient that parents and elders in our society should always have it at the back of their minds that there is an urgent need to be empowering ouryouths with wise counsels to make informed choices and aspire to achieve greatness through healthier mean
Besides, it exigent to disabuse the collective mindset of the youths in this context by advising them that smoking and drinking advertisements are deceptive, and that both habits cannot make them great. In fact, literarily peeping into the underbellies of deceptive nature of smoking and drinking advertisements, especially when targeted at young people, would reveal a lot.
Historically, cigarette advertising has taken various forms, often promoting false claims that have since been debunked. For instance, during the early 1900s, doctors were used as smoking advocates, and “scientific research” suggesting that the “benefits” of smoking were irresistible. However, today we know that smoking can cause cancer, heart problems, and other health issues.
Given the foregoing backdrop, a popular cigarette manufacturing company once claimed that switching to their cigarettes improved nose and throat conditions due to smoking. In a similar vein, advertisements from the 1960s and 1970s often used sex appeal to sell cigarettes, implying that male smokers would be more attractive to women.
As if the deception been perpetrated by cigarette manufacturing companies are not enough, more recent advertisements also played on the idea of cigarettes making smokers to be more attractive, but they conveniently omitted the negative effects on appearance, such as stained teeth and wrinkles.
Without a doubt, advertisers have always known that most smokers start in their teens, which is why they often targeted the “younger crowd” in the past.
On the other hand, and which is correspondingly grievous, alcohol advertising can also be misleading. While some advertisements focus on lifestyle and socializing, theyrarely highlight the downsides, even as alcohol consumption can lead to addiction, liver damage, impaired judgment, and negative impacts on relationships and mental health.
As if the foregoing damages that are inherent in smoking of cigarette and excessive drinking of alcohol are not enough, advertisements often portray drinking as glamorous, fun, and essential for social success. However, the reality is more complex.
The reason for the foregoing view cannot be farfetched as greatness does not come from excessive drinking; but comes from personal growth, hard work, and positive contributions to society.
At this juncture, it is expedient to pooh-pooh the erroneous thinking that alcohol makes people to be great by recalling that Donald Trump, who is no doubt a great man, has publicly stated on multiple occasions that he does not drink alcohol. He attributes his decision to abstain from alcohol to the tragic experience of his older brother, Fred Trump Jr., who struggled with alcoholism and passed away at a young age. Donald Trump has expressed that witnessing his brother’s challenges with alcohol influenced him to avoid drinking altogether.
While there have been some claims and anecdotes suggesting otherwise, the consistent public stance of Donald Trump is that he is a teetotaler. This has been a part of his personal brand and public persona for many years. It is important to note that personal habits like alcohol consumption can be private, and definitive proof of someone’s abstinence can be challenging to establish. However, based on Trump’s repeated statements and the lack of concrete evidence to the contrary, it is generally accepted that he does not drink alcohol
Given the forgoing, it is expedient to draw more references in this context to prove that drinking of alcohol does not make anyone to be great. This is as the world has witnessed, and still witnessing many great men who are notable teetotalers who have chosen to abstain from alcohol for various reasons.
Similar to the foregoing is Jennifer Lopez who has been quite open about her lifestyle choices, especially regarding her health and fitness. While she is not completely sober, she has mentioned in the past that she avoids drinking alcohol, smoking, and consuming caffeine to maintain her skin and overall health. She has been quoted saying, "I don’t drink or smoke or have caffeine. That really wrecks your skin as you get older".
Also, Natalie Portman, the Academy Award-winning actress is also known for not drinking alcohol. The same commendable lifestyle also goes for Tom Cruise, the famous actor who is known to have chosen to be teetotaler.
Also in the same league of world famous celebrities that have chosen to be teetotalers is Anthony Hopkins, anesteemed actor, as he has spoken about his decision to stop drinking alcohol and has been sober for many years. In a similar vein was David Bowie. The late music icon was also known to have abstained from alcohol later in his life.
Still in the same vein, Samuel L. Jackson, a prolific actor has been open about his past struggles with addiction and his subsequent sobriety.
Without any iota of exaggeration in this context, these individuals, among others, have made personal choice to avoid alcohol, which has sometimes been influenced by past experiences or a desire for a healthier lifestyle. It is a decision that can have various motivations, including health, personal well-being, or ethical reasons.
In fact, coming down home to Africa in this context, Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in South Africa, has been vocal about his stance on alcohol consumption. He has publicly criticized the government’s decision to allow alcohol sales, suggesting that it can have destructive effects on society and should be controlled. Additionally, during a speech on Youth Day, he urged young adults to abstain from drinking alcohol as a sign of respect for the occasion.
Regarding smoking, Malema has expressed that the ban on cigarette sales should be based on scientific evidence and not merely on arbitrary decisions. However, there is no direct statement from him claiming that he personally abstains from smoking cigarettes. His public statements have been more focused on the policy and regulation of tobacco rather than his own habits.
In fact, while Julius Malema has made clear statements against the consumption of alcohol, particularly in the context of societal impact and special occasions, there is no definitive public record of his personal habits regarding cigarette smoking. His comments have been more centered on the broader implications of alcohol and tobacco sales in the country.
At this juncture, it is germane to advise young Nigerians to be critical of advertising messages. They should remember that smoking and excessive drinking would not lead them to greatness. Instead, they should focus on education, self-improvement, and making a positive impact on their community as true greatness lies in healthier choices and meaningful actions.
In fact, young Nigerians should remember that greatness is not found in the haze of smoke or the bottom of a bottle as true greatness lies in their actions, their character, and their impact on Nigeria. Given the foregoing, it is expedient to urge them to always choose wisely, and let their choices reflect the greatness that is within them.