Smoking A Silent Killer
Introduction
Smoking is one of the most popular and, at the same time, harmful habits in the contemporary world. This comes in the form of inhaling and sucking the smoke of burning tobacco and this is often carried out using cigarettes, cigar or pipes. Some individuals start smoking to satisfy curiosity, feel peer pressure, or deal with stressful situations, but most of them do not pay much attention to the health outcomes of the long-termsmokinghabits. With time, the act of smoking changes to not only a habit but a strong addiction under the influence of nicotine, the main addictive component of tobacco.
Smoking is said to cause millions of deaths annually which are, in fact, avoidable and this is not only harmful to the smoker, but also to people in the immediate environment as a result of second-hand smoking. Smoking a History. The consumption of tobacco has a long history since it was used by the Indigenous people in the Americas in ceremonies and as a medicine. On the discovery of the Americas, tobacco was spread across Europe and other parts of the world. Tobacco consumption in the 20th-century faced industrialization in regard to cigarette production, which made it easily available to smokers. Unluckily, marketing efforts tended to present smoking as cool, upscale, or independent-minded-overlooking its host of fatal consequences. It was only when science carried out studies in the middle of the twentieth century that the association between smoking and serious illnesses could not be ignored .Why People Smoking There are many reasons why people begin to smokePeer Pressure- You may be afraid of missing out so you may do what is being encouraged to do by your friends to feel like you belong.
Curiosity- The desire to do something different brings about bad practices.Stress Relief It is said that some people smoke to aid stress or unwind.Advertising Impact - The historical ads used in cigarette advertising made smoking to appear attractive, a symbol of beauty and success, or even adventure.Family Influence - The children of smokers tend more towards putting a cigarette to their lips.
Chemistry of Tobacco
Tobacco smoke has a composition that comprises over 7,000 chemicals, the number of which is also known to cause cancer since it has at least 70 of these chemicals. These major parts are:
Nicotine Nicotine is the addictive stimulant that gets the smokers hooked. Tar- Sticky sludge-Harmful to the lungCarbon Monoxide- A lethal gas, which depletes the amount of oxygen in the blood.Formaldehyde, Benzene and Arsenic-Harmful chemicals to the body. Consequences of Smoking Smoking is not a new phenomenon whose ill effects are not known. It destroys almost all the organs of human body.
1. Respiratory Diseases
The most frequent cause of chronic bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is smoking. The tar accumulates in the lungs as one proceeds and breathing becomes increasingly harder.
2. Cancer
The largest single factor in the cause of cancer is smoking, which contributes to the cause of lung cancer to the tune of 85 percent. It is also capable of bringing about mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreatic cancer, bladder, kidney cancers and so on.
3. Circulatory and Heart Trouble
Other chemicals such as nicotine elevate the blood pressure, constrict blood vessels, and improve chances of experiencing heart attacks, stroke, and peripheral artery disease.
4. suppressed immune system
The capacity to defend against infection and recovery of wound in smokers is impaired.
The economy cost of Smoking
There are more than one way that smoking will cost you money:
It Costs Money/Personal Costs- Smokers also end up spending a great sum of money yearly on cigarettes, which would have been used towards a more healthier activity.
Healthcare Costshealthcare costs of smoking-related diseases are very costly to the healthcare systems.
Loss of productivity- The ill health and early death effects of smoking result in loss of productiveness in the workplace.
Social Consequences
In most countries, smoking has declined in the society. Smoking prohibition in the public places, depiction of warning labels on the packets, and anti-smoking advertisement have made the smokers conscious of how stigmatized the act has become. The places people work, eat and visit have gone non-smoking.
Quitting Smoking
The health benefits begin virtually immediately: inexpensive, virtual instant gratification, quitting smoking is not simple but it can happen:
20 minutes later quitting – The heart rate and blood pressure lowers.
12 hours- Blood concentration of carbon monoxide returns to normal.
2 weeks- 3 months- there is improvement of lung functioning.
Within 1 year- There is a reduction of heart disease risks half.
A decade – The chances of lungs cancer are reduced to roughly 50 percent of what a smoker has.
Quitting Advice
Establish a Quit Date- It provides you with a focus that reads your mind.
Get Support – Friends, family members or groups could be an inspiration.
Use Nicotine Replacement Therapy- The end of use produces a set of withdrawal symptoms that are managed by using nicotine patch, gum, or lozenges.
Avoid the causes of temptation – Keep out of places where you would have the usual temptation to smoke.
Exercise - Exercise helps with mood and diminishes the craving.
International initiatives to curtail Smoking
There have been measures adopted by the governments and other organizations all over the world to fight against smoking:
Increased Taxes - Increased taxes on smokes put people off smoking.
Warning Labels – Picturesque health warning labels on packaging educate tobacco users and alert smokers to the harm.
Bans on advertising- prohibition on advertisement of cigarettes will decrease exposure and this will include young people.
Bans on Public Smoking - Defend the non-smokers against second hand smoke.
Education Campaigns– Prevention and quitting are promoted by creating awareness to the population.
Smoking Alternatives in E-Cigs
Over the last few years, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and vaping devices are seen as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. Though they are sold as being safer, studies are still being carried on into their long term health effects. There is a hint that they can assist some smokers to quit and some caution that they can turn out to be another source of nicotine addiction, particularly in the youths.
Conclusion
Smoking is a harmful and addictive behaviour that has continued to hurt millions of individuals all over the world. It impairs health, bankrupts finances and cuts lives short. A decision to begin smoking might not have monumental effect, however, the outcome is vast. The great news is: Quitting is never too late. Smokers can easily overcome their nicotine addiction also with the help of determination, support and access to resources and live a more healthier and longer lif As a society, we all have to do more to create awareness about the harms of smoking, the more we do it the nearer our future becomes a smoke-free world.
