A Computational Analysis of the Negative Impact of Cigarette Smoking on Human Population In Imo State

Abstract

Smoking is a practice in which a substance most commonly called Tobacco or Cannabis is burnt and the smoke tasted or inhaled. Recognition of the consequences of cigarette smoking and abuse on physical and mental health as well as socio-occupational life are necessary steps for initiating appropriate action to reduce the harm or dangers resulting from smoking. This work was motivated by the observed and anticipated negative health burden with its concomitant socio-economic consequences which the nation is bound to face if systematic efforts are not made now to control the growing problem of cigarette smoking. Three methodologies have been combined in the execution of this research. The first methodology involved conducting the clinical test to determine the independent assessment of impact of smoking using Digital Display Nicotine Tester (DDNT). Secondly, sample populations of people treated at the Imo State University Teaching Hospital from diseases emanating from smoking were collected, statistically analyzed using Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS).Relevant coefficients were extracted and deployed for the coding of the simulation model. Thirdly, simulation software was developed using the indices collected from the statistical software to assess the impact of smoking on the population in the next 50 years. This is to assist policy formlators and decision makers on what public policy should be in place to stem possible health catastrophe that may occur as a result of uncontrolled consumption. The software simulation follows a stochastic
model.