Dangers of Smoking
• Every minute, seven people die of
"Smokers never become old simply because
they die younger" is a harsh but true fact.
Beginning with those initial puffs of smoke
is never a conscious decision. This initial
choice of smoking is made as a teenager
when the implications of tobacco use and its
addiction are not known. Read on to know
the dangers of smoking.
Smoking Statistics – Alarming Enough to
De-motivate Smokers
• About 33% of male adult global
population smokes.
• Time cut down from one’s lifespan is
approximately equal to the time
indulged in smoking.
tobacco use.
• 49 known carcinogenic compounds
and 4000 other toxins constitute a
single cigarette.
• More than 90 % of lung cancer
deaths are due to cigarette smoking.
• The cost that smokers impose on US
economy is more than $150 billion a
year.
Hazardous Effects of Smoking
Most Deaths Due to Smoking are Caused
by Cancer
It has been proven that smoking causes lung
cancer and cancers of oral cavity, larynx,
esophagus and bladder. More than 95% of
lung cancers are detected in smokers or
those exposed to environmental tobacco
smoke. 90% of smokers with lung cancer die
within 3 years of diagnosis. The risk
increases steadily with the number of
cigarettes smoked per day.
Breathing Problems and Lung Disorders
Caused By Smoke
The toxins in smoke can cause lung
disorders like emphysema, chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchitis,
and significant reduction in lung
functioning. Smoker’s cough is common
symptom that develops as the defense
system tries to expel the chemicals
accumulated in the air passage and lungs.
Gradually, the respiratory system becomes
more prone to infections due to lowered
immunity.
Smoking and Heart Disease
Cigarette smoking is one of the major risk
factors for high blood pressure and fatal
heart attacks. Chemicals in the smoke
develop atherosclerosis and lowers supply of
oxygen to the heart leading to cardio-
vascular diseases. The damage already
caused due to smoking is reversible. The
risk of developing a heart disease or stroke
once you quit smoking successfully is the
same as you never smoked. Of course this
doesn’t mean that you wait till a later age to
quit until completely smoke-dried.
Stroke and Gangrene
The effects of smoking in causing all forms
of stroke and brain hemorrhages are
apparent. Smoking causes peripheral arterial
disease by plaque deposition leading to
clogged arteries.
Infertility and Obstetric Issues Related to
Smoking
Smoking impacts women’s health
substantially by causing infertility,
miscarriages, complicated pregnancies and
early menopause. Smoking during
pregnancy and breast-feeding can have
hazardous effects on the baby in early
childhood and also as they grow up.
Smoking is known to cause sperm
abnormalities and hence male infertility.
Effects on Musculo-skeletal System
Nicotine affects the bones, joints and
muscles of the body. It causes Osteopenia,
osteoporosis, and hence increased chances
of fractures and tissue injuries.
Oral Hygiene and Smoking
Smoking can cause loss of taste, bad breath,
dental caries, stained teeth, mouth sores and
receding gums.
Chain Smoking
As seen with most of the other addictions,
maintaining the thin line between mild
smokers and chain smokers is very difficult.
Practical sense of judging and refraining
oneself from a particular thing is completely
lost with dependency. Also, research has
proved that fewer cigarettes cause the same
damage as higher tobacco use.
Gateway Effects and Health risks for
Second Hand Smokers
Effects of smoking are increased by
manifold due to the gateway effects. Two
important gateways are children choosing to
smoke due to their parents; and the second
gateway leading to many other addictions
and drug abuse. Environmental tobacco
smoke has large amount of toxins that cause
harmful effects on non-smokers too.
Effects on National Growth and Economy
Medical costs incurred from the tobacco-
related illnesses and complicated
pregnancies could be the direct costs
affecting the national economy. Lower
work-efficiency, droppings off earnings,
higher medical expenses, early retirement (if
ever) put an additional burden on the growth
and economy.
Gradual step-down in smoking should be the
initial goal and eventually lead towards
complete smoking cessation. Ignorance isn’t
a bliss; informed decision to continue
smoking even after being educated about its
dangers would be more upright and real
challenge too!