BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
Effects of smoking, alcohol and
drugs on humans
Divoat SriluckGunathilaka Mestiyage Don
12 -D
Page 2: Certificate
Page 3: Acknowledgement
I sincerely thank Dr. Vanaparthi
Varaprasad, my Biology teacher, for
providing the essential guidelines and
the list of information to be included in
this investigatory project. His directions
helped me focus on the key aspects
required to complete the project
effectively.
INDEX
S.no Content PG
1 introduction
2 Aim and Objectives
3 Addictive Substances and
their components
4 Smoking – Effects and Risks
5 Alcohol – Effects and Risks
6 Drug Abuse – Effects and
Risks
7 Impact on Mental Health
8 Impact on Family and Society
9 Social and Economic
Consequences
10 Neurology of Addiction
11 Prevention and Rehabilitation
12 Government and NGO Role
13 Survey and Case Study
14 Anti-Addiction Campaigns
15 Recent Scientific
Developments
16 Posters, Charts, and
Roleplay Ideas
17 Conclusion
18 Personal Reflection
19 Bibliography
20 Annexures / Extra Activities
Page 5: Introduction
Substance abuse is a major problem affecting
individuals, families, and society. It involves the
harmful use of substances like tobacco (smoking),
alcohol, and drugs that affect the brain and body.
These substances may give short-term pleasure
but lead to long-term damage , such as poor health,
broken relationships, and mental illness.
This project aims to raise awareness about how these
substances affect our physical and mental health, and
to promote healthier and safer choices in life.
Page 6: Aim and Objectives
Aim:
To study the harmful effects of smoking, alcohol consumption,
and drug abuse on human health and society.
Objectives:
● To understand why certain substances become addictive.
● To learn how smoking, alcohol, and drugs affect the brain
and body.
● To explore how addiction impacts mental health, family,
and social life.
● To highlight the role of awareness, prevention, and
rehabilitation.
● To encourage healthy lifestyle choices among students.
Page 7: Components of
Addictive Substances
What do you mean by addictive substances?
Addictive substances are chemicals that affect the brain and
cause people to crave them repeatedly. They change how we
feel, think, and behave, often leading to dependence and
health problems.
Tobacco
● Main chemical: Nicotine
● Effect: Increases heart rate and creates a strong craving.
Very addictive.
Alcohol
● Main chemical: Ethanol
● Effect: Slows brain activity, causes poor judgment and
liver damage.
These substances harm the body and mind and should be
avoided for a healthy life.
Page 8: Health Effects of
Smoking
What is Smoking?
Smoking is the act of inhaling the smoke of burning tobacco,
usually through cigarettes, bidis, cigars, or hookahs. The main
addictive chemical in tobacco is nicotine, which affects the
brain and creates strong cravings. Smoking also releases
harmful chemicals like tar, carbon monoxide, and
formaldehyde.
Short Term Long term
Bad breath and yellow teeth - Lung diseases (asthma, bronchitis,
emphysema)
Coughing and irritation in the throat Cancer (lung, throat, mouth)
Reduced lung capacity and shortness Heart disease and stroke
of breath
Increased heart rate and blood Weakened immune system
pressure
Reduced sense of taste and smell Passive smoking harms people
nearby
Page 9: Health Effects of
Alcohol
So what are Alcohols and their effects ?
Alcohols are a group of chemical compounds that contain one or
more hydroxyl (-OH) groups attached to a carbon atom. The type of
alcohol commonly consumed by humans is ethanol (ethyl alcohol).
Made by fermentation of sugars using yeast.
Short term effects Long term effects
Feeling relaxed or happy Liver damage ( fatty liver,
hepatitis)
poor coordination Brain damage and memory loss
Blurred vision and slower High blood pressure and heart
reaction time disease
Drowsiness or dizziness Addiction (alcoholism)
Risk of accidents and injuries Increased risk of cancer (liver,
throat, stomach)
Page 10: Health Effects of Drug
Abuse
Drugs are chemical substances that affect how the body and mind
work. Some drugs are used as medicines to treat illness, but others
are abused for pleasure. Addictive drugs act on the central nervous
system (CNS). Over time, the body becomes dependent on them.
Short Term Long term
Feeling high or relaxed
Brain damage
Fast or slow heart rate Organ failure (liver,
kidney)
Confused thinking Mental illness (depression,
paranoia)
Loss of control
Strong addiction and even
death
Page 11: Impact on Mental Health
Substance abuse including smoking, alcohol, and drugs has a
serious impact on mental health. These substances change
how the brain works, affecting mood, memory, and behavior.
Over time, this leads to emotional instability and mental
illness.
🧠 Common Mental Health Effects:
● Addiction Cravings: Uncontrollable urge to use the
substance again
● Depression: Low energy and loss of interest in life
● Memory Loss & Confusion: Difficulty focusing or
remembering things
● Suicidal Thoughts: In extreme cases, hopelessness
can lead to self-harm
Page 12: Impact on Family and Society
Addiction doesn’t only harm the person using the substance, it
deeply affects their family and the society around them. When
one person suffers from addiction, everyone around them is
affected emotionally, socially, and financially.
Impacts
Family Society
Fights and aggression Rise in crime
Wasted money on Unsafe surroundings
substances
Broken trust and Loss of youth productivity
relationships
Page 13: Social and Economic Consequences
Substance abuse does not only affect health — it also has serious
social and economic impacts on individuals, families, and the
entire nation.
🔹Social Consequences:
● Broken families due to violence, neglect, or emotional stress
● Increased crime rates like theft, assault, and drug dealing
● Social stigma and isolation faced by addicts and their families
🔹 Economic Consequences:
● Loss of income and jobs due to poor work performance or
absenteeism
● High healthcare costs for addiction treatment and related
illnesses
● Government spending on rehab centers, law enforcement, and
social services.
Page 14: Neurology of Addiction
Addiction begins in the brain’s reward system, which controls
feelings of pleasure and motivation. When a person uses addictive
substances like nicotine, alcohol, or drugs, the brain releases a
chemical called dopamine. This creates a strong feeling of pleasure
or high.
Over time, the brain gets used to these high dopamine levels and
needs more of the substance to feel the same effect, this is called
tolerance. When the person tries to stop, they may feel sadness,
anxiety, or pain, known as withdrawal symptoms.
How Addiction Affects the Brain:
● Triggers dopamine release, causing short-term pleasure
● Changes brain structure, especially areas for
decision-making and self-control
● Creates strong cravings, making it hard to stop
● Leads to dependence, where the brain “needs” the substance
to feel normal
Page 15: Prevention and Rehabilitation
Substance abuse can be prevented and treated with the right
awareness, support, and medical help. Prevention focuses
on stopping addiction before it begins, while rehabilitation
helps people recover from addiction and return to a healthy
life.
Prevention Methods:
● Awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and
communities
● Healthy lifestyle choices, like sports and hobbies
● Strict laws against drug and alcohol abuse
Rehabilitation Support:
● Detoxification centers to remove harmful substances
from the body
● Counselling and therapy to deal with mental struggles
● Medication to manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce
cravings
Page 16: Government and NGO Role
Gove - Enforces drug laws and
rn age restrictions
me
nt - Provides rehab and
mental health services
- Runs awareness
campaigns
- Bans public smoking &
regulates packaging
- Imposes high taxes on
alcohol and tobacco
NGO - Conduct awareness
drives
- Offer free rehab and
counseling
- Support affected families
- Advocate for better laws
- Partner with government
programs
Page 17: Survey and Case Study
Survey Objective:
To understand real-life views and experiences of adults regarding the
effects of substance use in society.
Participants:
● Total Adults Surveyed: 10
● Age Group: 25–50 years
● Location: Friends and family circle residing in Sharjah, UAE
Survey Questions Asked:
1.Do you think drugs, alcohol, or smoking are common in your
community?
2.Have you or someone you know struggled with addiction?
3.Do you think these substances affect mental health?
4.Should schools and workplaces do more to raise awareness?
5.Who do you trust more to help addicts — government or NGOs?
Survey Results (Summary):
● 8 out of 10 said substance use is common in their area.
● 6 out of 10 knew someone personally affected by addiction.
● All 10 agreed these substances have mental health impacts.
● 9 out of 10 wanted more awareness programs in
schools/workplaces.
● 7 out of 10 believed NGOs are more supportive at a personal
level.
Conclusion:
The survey and case study show that addiction affects many
families and most people want better awareness and support
systems, especially from NGOs and local programs.
Page 18: Anti-Addiction Campaigns
Anti-addiction campaigns are public efforts to spread awareness about
the harmful effects of smoking, alcohol, and drug abuse. These
campaigns are run by governments, NGOs, schools, and media to help
people avoid or quit addictions.
The main goals are:
● To educate people about health risks
● To prevent youth from starting harmful habits
● To support addicted individuals in recovery
These campaigns help reduce health problems, protect families, and
save lives. Some famous examples are:
● Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (India)
● Truth Campaign (USA)
● WHO’s Tobacco-Free Initiative
With proper support, anti-addiction campaigns create a healthier and
safer society.
Page 19: Conclusion
This project helped me understand how dangerous smoking,
alcohol, and drug abuse can be to health and society.
● Harmful Effects: These substances damage organs like the
lungs, liver, heart, and brain.
● Mental Impact: They can cause anxiety, depression, and
long-term addiction.
● Social Damage: Families get affected, and people may face
isolation and loss of respect.
● Why People Start: Many young people fall into these habits
because of peer pressure, curiosity, or stress.
● Prevention is Possible: With education, awareness, and
emotional support, many lives can be saved.
● My Takeaway: It's always better to choose a healthy lifestyle
and say NO to harmful habits.
Let’s take a step toward a better, healthier world by spreading
awareness and helping those in need.
Page 20: Bibliography
NCERT Class 12 Biology – Chapter: Human Health and Disease
WHO (World Health Organization) – Official content on tobacco and substance abuse
https://www.who.int
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – Information on alcohol, tobacco,
and drug risks
https://www.cdc.gov
NIMHANS (National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, India)
https://nimhans.ac.in
Meta Chart – Pie chart generation tool
https://www.meta-chart.com/pie#/display
Canva – Visual and poster generation
https://www.canva.com
Shutterstock – Used for image references on drug rehabilitation centers
https://www.shutterstock.com/search/drug-rehabilitation-center
DConnect NZ – Article on alcohol and performance
https://dconnect.co.nz/alcohol-and-performance
Wikipedia & YouTube Posters – Used for general background information and visuals
https://www.wikipedia.org
https://www.youtube.com
Annexures/Activities:
