Cigarette Smoking: Kill It Before It Kills You!

According to the WHO, “tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year, including an estimated 1.3 million non-smokers who are exposed to second-hand smoke”. The sheer magnitude of these numbers itself is deeply concerning. Despite the best efforts of governments and health authorities around the world, cigarettes and other tobacco products continue to be one of the leading causes of death around the world. If you or someone you know smokes, the first step towards a smoke-free life is understanding what cigarettes - which seem almost harmless to those who smoke - contain, and what they do to the human body. Let’s start with understanding what we put inside our bodies when we smoke.

What’s in A Cigarette? Over 4000 Chemicals!

What may seem like rather harmless smoke to many, actually contains more than 4000 chemicals. Out of the 4000 chemicals, 69 of them are known as carcinogens. Here are some of the most concerning chemicals found in cigarettes:

• Arsenic: Used in rat poison and pesticides
• Acetic Acid: Found in vinegar, hair dye and photo-developing fluid
• Acetone: The main ingredient in paint thinner and fingernail polish remover
• Ammonia: A typical household cleaning fluid
• Benzene: Found in gasoline
• Butane: Chemical found in lighter fluid, pesticides and paints
• Cadmium: Found in batteries and artist’s paints
• Carbon Monoxide: A poisonous gas found in car exhaust, as well as from other sources
• DDT: A chemical formerly used as an insecticide
• Formaldehyde: Used to embalm dead bodies.
• Hydrazine: Used in rocket fuel
• Hydrogen Cyanide: Used as a poison in gas chambers and chemical weapons
• Lead: A toxic metal
• Naphthalene: Used in mothballs and some paints
• Nitrobenzene: Used as a solvent in petroleum refining
• Phenol: Used in disinfectants and plastics

Some Alarming Facts

• The death toll from smoke would be climbing further in years to come.
• 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and women are due to smoking.
• People who smoke are 10 to 20 times more likely to die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke.

India is facing a smoking death crisis and it has been predicted that 1 million people will die every year from tobacco smoking in the next 10 years. The after-effects of these habits are seen decades later resulting in immense physical, psychological and financial trauma and deteriorating medical conditions like COPD liver diseases and cancer.

Also Checkout: Say No To Tobacco

Why Do People Smoke?

Before we explore the harm cigarettes cause to the body, it is important to understand why people smoke as it can help with reducing and eventually quitting smoking. Common reasons include:

• Nicotine addiction: Nicotine, a chemical in tobacco, stimulates the release of the dopamine hormone - a neurotransmitter that makes one feel relaxed. As this effect is highly addictive in nature, those who smoke keep coming back to it, often despite knowing its ill effects.
• Stress relief: The calming effect produced by nicotine makes people think that it is relieving stress, which is why many people light a cigarette when dealing with difficult situations.
• Psychological dependence: Besides the addiction caused by nicotine, many people also develop a psychological dependence on smoking, often using it to distract themselves from a problem or avoid negative thoughts.
• Social influence: Many people, especially youngsters, start smoking in order to “belong” in their social circles and come across as “cool” and “forward”. Unfortunately, what starts as a style statement often ends up becoming a life-taking habit.

What Happens When You Smoke?

It takes only 8 seconds for the nicotine to travel to the bloodstream and then the brain. Eventually, you may experience:

• Fast Heartbeat
• Increase in Blood Pressure
• Decrease in the sense of smell and taste
• Yellowing of teeth and fingernails
• Foul smell in hair, breath and clothes

How Does Smoking Harm Your Body?

Tobacco smoke, with more than 4000 chemicals, has a far-reaching impact on the body, damaging various organs and systems. These include:

• Lungs: Smoking cigarettes damages the lungs, which can cause various types of respiratory disorders such as bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It also increases the risk of lung cancer.
• Heart: Smoking can lead to the formation of plaque inside the heart’s arteries, narrowing their passage and increasing the risk of various cardiovascular diseases. In addition, nicotine increases the blood pressure, putting excessive stress on the heart’s arteries.
• Digestive System: Smoking increases the risk of various gastrointestinal disorders such as peptic ulcers, Crohn's disease, and pancreatitis, and can also contribute to the development of cancers in the digestive tract.
• Immune System: Smoking cigarettes weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections such as pneumonia and influenza. Moreover, due to weakened immunity, smokers may take longer to recover from diseases and surgeries.
• Reproductive Health: Smoking adversely impacts the reproductive health of both men and women. In men, it can lead to erectile dysfunction and reduced sperm count; in women, it can cause fertility issues, complications during pregnancy, and an increased risk of cervical cancer.
• Skin and Hair: Smoking dehydrates the body, and as a result, takes away the natural moisture and glow from the skin and hair. If left unaddressed, the impact can progress and lead to issues such as hair fall and dry skin.

In addition to the aforementioned, the carcinogens in tobacco smoke damage DNA, increasing the risk of various types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, pancreas, kidney, cervix, and stomach.

Benefits Of Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking offers a multitude of health benefits that begin almost immediately and continue to grow over time. Here are some key benefits:

• Improved Lung Health: Quitting smoking reduces coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath, and slows down the progression of lung diseases.
• Reduced Risk of Heart Disease and Stroke: Just a year after quitting, the person’s risk of heart disease drops to about half, while the risk of stroke also declines over time.
• Better Immune Function: Smoking weakens the immune system, making you more susceptible to infections. Quitting helps restore immune function, allowing your body to better fight off colds, flu, and other illnesses.
• Reduced Risk of Cancers: Besides lung cancer, quitting smoking reduces the risk of various other cancers such as mouth, throat, oesophagus, pancreas, and bladder cancers.
• Improved Heart Health: Quitting smoking enhances blood flow, lowers blood pressure, and reduces clot formation, improving overall heart health.
• Improved Skin Health: Quitting smoking improves skin tone, reduces wrinkles, and slows down the ageing process.
• Enhanced Sense of Taste and Smell: Smoking dulls your senses of taste and smell. These senses begin to improve within days of quitting, allowing you to better enjoy food and aromas.
• Increased Life Expectancy: Smokers who quit can gain years back on their lives, with younger quitters seeing the largest increase in life expectancy.
• Better Quality of Life: Overall, quitting smoking leads to improved energy, reduced stress, better sleep, and a sense of achievement, resulting in a higher quality of life for you and your loved ones.

Quitting smoking is one of the best decisions you can make for your health, with both immediate and long-term benefits that positively impact nearly every part of your body.

Final Words

If you have been trying to quit smoking without much success, getting professional help can make it easier. At Max Hospitals, our specialists are here to support you with personalised cessation plans, counselling, and treatments that work. Don’t wait to reclaim your health. Consult a specialist at Max Hospitals today and take the first step towards a smoke-free life.