Cons and cons of cigarette smoking

In spite of overwhelming evidence that cigarette smoking predisposes to several diseases affecting many organ systems, there seems to be no decline in the prevalence of smoking.

What is particularly distressing is the fact that smoking often starts in teenage.

Cigarette smoking is mentioned as the most common cause of preventable morbidity and mortality.

Believe it or not cigarette smoke is a deadly cocktail of nearly 4000 (four thousand) chemicals of which at least 60 are known to be carcinogens (predisposing to cancer). Many of these chemicals are used in insecticides, paints and toilet cleaners.

Nicotine is the substance responsible for the effects on nervous system which make a person psychologically dependent on cigarettes. It is quickly absorbed from the blood in the lung alveoli and is carried to the brain.

Cigarette smoke causes widespread damage to the lining of the respiratory tract. This predisposes to recurrent cough, obstruction in airways and a condition called emphysema, in which the alveoli are permanently distended due to airway obstruction.

With continued distension the alveoli rupture reducing the ability of lung to deliver oxygen to the tissues. Many chemicals get deposited in the airways and lung and lead to cancer.

Cigarette smoking also predisposes to heart attacks and ischemic heart disease (ischemia means reduced blood flow).

The stomach is also affected as some of the chemicals reach it through saliva. Peptic ulcer and cancer of stomach are more common in smokers than non smokers.

Many chemicals cause damage to the immune system and lower resistance to diseases.

Cigarette smoking is one of the causes of bad breath (halitosis) and it also leads to staining of teeth and dryness of mouth.

It is important to remember that the smoke from cigarettes affects people nearby (passive smoking) and causes diseases in them also. Often a child is brought with recurrent cough and all investigations turn out to be negative.

History reveals that there is a smoker in the house. Those who indulge in cigarette smoking ruin not only their health but also the health of others including their kith and kin. Hence many states have banned smoking is public places.

More tragic is the case of a pregnant woman who smokes. Smoking can damage the developing embryo. What can be more unfortunate than a would be mother harming her own baby even before his birth?

Buying cigarettes costs money and adds to the financial burden of the individual. Is it not ridiculous to buy diseases? One can use that money on healthy food or good clothes instead.

But why do people smoke in spite of knowing that it is positively harmful? Man is really a funny creature. The forbidden activities are the most alluring for him.

For teenagers peer pressure is a compelling reason to inhale the deadly smoke. They are also highly influenced by their favorite heroes and villains who are shown smoking in movies. Those who do not smoke are left out of elite groups and may even develop inferiority complex for not doing what is wrong!

If even one parent is a smoker, the child is very likely to start smoking. Sometimes it starts just out of curiosity and then becomes an addiction.

Many doctors may not strongly speak against smoking because they are smokers themselves. They may also be afraid of losing patients. After all people’s health is doctor’s liability. Unfortunately doctors are not rewarded for trying to keep people healthy.

Smokers say that cigarette smoking relieves stress. It is difficult to understand why anyone should choose such an unhealthy stress buster when there are so many healthy ones. Just breathing deeply for a few minutes will give peace of mind.

Listening to soothing music, regular exercises, doing some social service, reading good books, watching comedy movies, sitting in a garden and watching the beautiful flowers, sitting on a beach, playing with kids, playing games indoor or outdoor and going on a family vacation are all very effective in preventing and relieving stress.

Practicing Reiki causes profound mental relaxation. It is not difficult to practice Reiki and just half an hour of practice daily can make a perceptible difference.

Good family life perhaps helps in preventing adolescents from indulging in smoking. If parents spend quality time with their children and establish strong family ties it will be difficult for children to start smoking.

I have heard people say that it is more difficult to give up smoking than alcohol, but have not come across anyone who says it is easier to give up smoking.

Hence the best way to stop smoking is not to start it at all. When it comes to smoking it is better never than late. But if you have started smoking it is better late than never to stop smoking. Quit smoking at the earliest.

Back to teen health from cigarette smoking