Risks of Cigarette Smoking

Most of us are already aware of the many harmful effects and the dangerous risks of smoking.  People try smoking for the first time thinking its harmless but then it forms into a habit and becomes very difficult to stop smoking.

You are most probably already aware of the many harmful smoking effects and the dangerous risks of cigarette smoking. There have been thousands of articles and books written about it to help you protect your health. Stopping smoking is not that easy for most people and it is therefore important to know the harmful effects of smoking so that you get the willpower and motivation to quit smoking. Smoking increases your chances of many different types of cancer like lung cancer, skin cancer, etc.  Smoking also makes your energy levels low and you cannot live a healthy life.

People smoke because they feel it helps them cope with stress, anxiety or they feel smoking are pleasant and relaxing.  Some feel smoking is a way to socialize and be a part of a group and feel that it makes them look confident and in control.  Some feel that it’s a way to get attention and control their emotional issues like stress or low self esteem.  Smokers feel that turning to cigarettes help them reduce anxiety and provide a sense of calmness and elevate their mood.

Smokers should make a firm and genuine decision to stop smoking –   quit smoking now and lead a healthy life.

Effects of Second Hand Smoke

Secondhand smoke or ETS is due to burning tobacco and the mainstream smoke that is exhaled by the smoker. It comprises highest levels of nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar and various other carcinogens and hence a regular exposure to secondhand smoke can be more harmful than directly smoking a cigarette.

Secondhand smoking causes eye irritation, cough, sore throat, headache, nausea and dizziness.  Even the major cause for lung cancer among non smokers is due to secondhand smoke.  Second hand smoke can also cause cardiovascular problems and can have short term and long term effects to the heart by lessening its capacity to function and lowers the flow of the blood to carry oxygen.  The chemicals in secondhand smoke blocks the arteries and this can give rise to problems like atherosclerosis, hypertension and later heart attack.  

Studies show that non smokers exposed to ETS have a greater risk of asthma as it affects their lung function.  Recent studies also revealed an increase in the risk of breast cancer among women.  Babies born to women who smoked during pregnancy are often born premature and have a low birth weight and are prone to illness all their life.  Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are likely to be affected with pneumonia, asthma, bronchitis, other respiratory problems and also increases their vulnerability to develop cancer during their adulthood