There are believed to be 1.1 billion smokers in the world, 800 million of them in developing countries. Everyday, around 1000 people are dying because of smoking. One out of every six men is dying because of smoking. This makes clear that smoking is one of the major causes of death.
Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco smoke that causes smokers to continue to smoke. Addicted smokers need enough nicotine over a day to satisfy cravings or control their mood. Along with nicotine, smokers also inhale about 4,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke. Many of these compounds are chemically active and trigger profound and damaging changes in the body.
The effects of smoking vary from person to person as it will depend on the person's vulnerability to the chemical in cigarette or tobacco smoke. It will also depend on the number of cigarette sticks a person smokes per day, the age when the person first started to smoke, and the number of years the person has been smoking. Here are some of the different effects of smoking:
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Heart: The effects of smoking on your heart are devastating. Nicotine raises blood pressure and makes the blood clot more easily. Carbon monoxide robs the blood of oxygen and leads to the development of cholesterol deposits on the artery walls. All of these effects add up to an increased risk of heart attack.
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Lungs: Smoking causes chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a group of diseases that includes emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis. COPD is called the "silent killer." Many smokers don't know they are affected until it is too late. There is no cure for these diseases and no way to reverse the damage. Ten percent to 15% of all smokers will develop COPD.
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Blood Circulation: A major effect of smoking is that veins and arteries get narrower, harder and coated with fatty deposits. This can lead to problems such as:
- Low fitness, cold skin, hands and feet, and ulcers.
- Gangrene which leads to about 2000 amputations each year in the UK.
- Cramps, pains and blockages in your veins which can cause strokes and heart attacks.
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Bones: Smoking can cause bones to get weak and brittle. Women need to be especially careful because they are 5 to 10% more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than non-smokers.
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Stomach: The damage to your stomach area can affect your vital organs. You have increased chances of getting stomach cancer or ulcers. You are also at risk of developing cancers in your kidney, pancreas and bladder.
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Mouth and Throat: Smoking causes unattractive problems like bad breath and stained teeth. It can also cause gum disease and damage to your sense of taste. The most serious damage smoking causes in this area is an increased risk of cancer in your lips, tongue, throat, voice bok and oesophagus (gullet).
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Eyes: Dangerous smoking effects on eyes include common eye diseases such as Graves' ophthalmopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and cataract. The worst smoking effect on eyes can be permanent blindness.
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Skin: Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen to the skin. This means that the skin ages more quickly and looks grey and dull. The toxins in your body also produce cellulite.
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Reproduction and Fertility: The effects of smoking on reproduction and fertility are serious. Smoking can increase the risk of impotence. It can also damage sperm, reduce sperm count and cause testicular cancer.
Smoking not only harms you but also those around you. Adults who breathe in other people's smoke also have an increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease. Pregnant women who smoke are more likely to suffer miscarriage and stillbirth. Children who breathe in other people's smoke are more likely to develop lung diseases like asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, and their physical growth and intellectual development can also be affected.
Quit smoking now!
