Final answer:
Among the strategies for refusing tobacco, option d. pretend to smoke to avoid losing your friends is not effective or advisable.
Step-by-step explanation:
Effective strategies for refusing tobacco include a. changing the subject, b. sharing your reasons for not using tobacco products, and c. emphasizing the health risks. Pretending to smoke can lead to actual tobacco use due to the addictive nature of nicotine, making it difficult for individuals to quit once they have started. Educational programs about the undesirable effects of tobacco and the dangers of secondhand smoke are important, but changing behavior can be challenging due to the addictive properties of nicotine.
Moreover, while smokers are aware of health risks, some may employ rationalizations or denial, such as believing filtered cigarettes are less harmful, or that smoking has some perceived benefits like appetite suppression. It's important to understand that nicotine, though not directly causing cancer like the other components in tobacco smoke, is highly addictive and is the primary reason quitting smoking is so difficult.
Avoiding tobacco altogether is the best method for reducing health risks associated with smoking, including various types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Tools like nicotine replacement therapy can be helpful, but they have limitations and a high relapse rate. Ultimately, strategies that foster a complete cessation of tobacco use, rather than substituting or mimicking the behavior, are key for long-term health.