Entry #8. Smoking Cigarettes

Smoking cigarettes has adverse effects on health as it damages almost every organ system in a smoker’s body. Due to the presence of toxic substances such as nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide present in tobacco smoke, smoking causes serious health problems in smokers as well as those exposed to secondhand smoke. Smoking increases the risk of developing fatal health conditions like lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease, and stroke. Exposure to secondhand smoke is also toxic and causes health problems similar to active smoking. Smoking is the major health problem as it aggravates respiratory infections and asthma exacerbations, impairs lung function, and is associated with increased risk for various other cancers including throat, mouth, esophageal, pancreatic, bladder and cervical cancer. Beyond physical health, smoking also affects mental health and causes depression, anxiety, and stress-related disorders. The presence of nicotine in cigarettes causes addiction, making it difficult for smokers to quit smoking. However, smoking cessation helps in restoring health. For instance, within 1-9 months of quitting smoking, lung function improves up to 10%. Within 15 months of smoking cessation, the risk of developing heart disease in ex-smokers reduces to the same level as non-smokers. After five years of quitting smoking, the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder are half of those who continue to smoke. After 15 years of quitting smoking, the risk of coronary artery disease becomes the same as persons who do not smoke. If one can quit in time, the risk of death can be halved, and the lifespan can be increased by 10 years. In summary, smoking causes enormous health problems, and it is high time tobacco control and smoking cessation support services are provided to protect the public health and reduce the burden of smoking-related illness and mortality.