Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking: Why It Should Be Avoided
Introduction Cigarette smoking is one of the biggest preventable causes of death worldwide. Every year, it kills more than 8 million people. That’s one in every six deaths. Linked to about 90% of lung cancer cases, smoking also causes cancer of the larynx, mouth, oesophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix. Other effects of cigarette smoking causes coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. It contributes to aortic aneurysms and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. What are Cigarettes and What are They Made Of? Cigarettes are small, paper-wrapped cylinders containing tobacco. The tobacco is usually smoked through a tube of paper known as a filter. Cigarettes are made from a blend of tobacco leaves and other agricultural products, such as corn, wheat, and sugar cane. Tobacco leaves are the main ingredient in cigarettes, native to America. It was first introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus in the 15th century. Tobacco contains nicotine, which is a stimulant. Nicotine is addictive and can be harmful to your health. Other than these, some other harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke include: Nicotine: A highly addictive substance that increases heart rate and blood pressure, and can lead to tobacco dependence. Tar: A sticky substance that coats the lungs and is responsible for many of the harmful health effects of smoking, including cancer. Carbon monoxide: A colourless, odourless gas that reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood and can lead to heart disease. Formaldehyde: A carcinogenic substance that is used in embalming fluids and is also present in cigarette smoke. What are the Health Effects of Smoking Cigarettes? One of the most harmful things you can do to your body is smoking cigarettes. The health effects of smoking cigarette are well-documented, and there’s no shortage of reasons to avoid it. Here are just a few of the ways smoking cigarettes can impact your health: Smoking Causes Cancer: Smoking is linked to several types of cancer, including lung cancer, throat cancer, and stomach cancer. Of course, it’s not the smell that you’ll notice first. There are more than 7,000 chemicals in cigarette smoke outside of the ones we can smell- some of which can even cause cancer. Smoking Damages Your Heart and lungs: Smoking cigarettes damages your heart and lungs in multiple ways. It increases your risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung diseases like emphysema and bronchitis. Cigarette smoke also raises your blood pressure and makes your blood more likely to clot. Smoking Affects Your Appearance: Smokers often have yellow teeth and fingers due to the tar and nicotine in cigarettes. Smoking also causes wrinkles and premature ageing due to the loss of collagen in the skin. Smoking is Expensive: Cigarettes are not cheap, and the cost of smoking can add up quickly. In addition to the monetary cost, smoking also takes a toll on your time and productivity. Smoking is addictive: Cigarettes also contain nicotine, a highly addictive substance that makes it very difficult to quit smoking once you start. Why is Smoking Cigarettes so Harmful? Smoking cigarettes is one of the most harmful things that a person can do to their body. The health effects of cigarette are well-documented and include an increased risk of lung cancer, heart disease, and other respiratory illnesses. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, including many known to be toxic or carcinogenic. These chemicals damage the lungs, heart, and blood vessels, and can lead to serious health problems. Smokers are also at an increased risk of developing conditions like emphysema and bronchitis. Smoking damages the airways and makes it difficult for the lungs to function properly, leading to shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. In addition, smokers are more likely to develop infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis. Cigarette smoking is also a major risk factor for developing type 2 diabetes. Smoking damages the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas and makes it more difficult for the body to regulate blood sugar levels. This can lead to serious health complications like heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure. The health risks of smoking cigarettes are numerous and well-documented. Therefore, one of the best things you can do for your health is to quit smoking. If you’re struggling to quit, talk to your doctor about ways to get started. What are the Long-Term Effects of Smoking Cigarettes? Cigarette smoking has many harmful long-term effects on a smoker’s health which vary significantly from physical to psychological. Physical effects of smoking cigarette include an increased risk of developing lung cancer, emphysema, and other cancers of the respiratory system. Smokers are also at greater risk for heart disease, stroke, and peripheral vascular disease. In addition, smokers are more likely to develop wrinkles and yellowing of the skin. Psychological effects of smoking cigarette can include addiction, anxiety, and depression. Smokers may also experience difficulty concentrating and have problems with short-term memory. In general, the more cigarettes a person smokes, and the longer they smoke, the greater the risks. How Can I Avoid Smoking Cigarettes? Smoking cigarettes can be harmful to your health. It can damage your lungs, increase your risk of heart disease and stroke, and even lead to cancer. Therefore, one of the best things you can do for your health is quitting smoking. If you are a smoker, there are many ways to help you quit and avoid smoking cigarettes. You can talk to your doctor about nicotine replacement therapy or other medications that can help lessen your cravings for cigarettes. There are also many resources available online and in your community that can help you quit smoking for good, including counselling and medication. If you’re not ready to quit, there are still things you can do to reduce the harmful effects of smoking. Avoiding secondhand smoke is important for both smokers and nonsmokers. If you smoke, don’t smoke around children or pregnant women, and if you live with someone who smokes, ask them to smoke outside the house. Another way to reduce the harmful effects of cigarette is to choose low-tar and low-nicotine cigarettes. These cigarettes have
