Effects of Smoking:

Smoking has been a serious death disease for many years in our society, and now it is intertwined with social and cultural traditions. We all know its harmful effects easily. Despite widespread awareness and publicity about the harmful effects of smoking, millions of people around the world continue.

Health Risks

Cigarettes contain more than 7,000 chemicals, many of which are toxic or carcinogenic, which, when inhaled, damage almost every organ in the human body.

• Lung Disease:

Smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. It increases the risk of lung cancer.

• Heart Disease:

The nicotine and carbon monoxide in cigarettes make the heart work harder, constrict blood vessels, and raise blood pressure. Smokers are at higher risk of heart attack and stroke.

• Cancers outside the lungs:

This bad habit increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix.

Secondhand smoke:

It’s not just smokers who are at risk; anyone exposed to secondhand smoke can develop lung cancer, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses. Babies exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk of asthma, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and ear infections.

Benefits of quitting smoking:

The good news is that quitting smoking has both immediate and long-term benefits. Heart rate and blood pressure drop within 20 minutes of quitting. Lung function improves within a few months, and the risk of heart disease is halved after a year. In the long term, quitting smoking reduces the risk of cancer and increases life expectancy.

Ways to quit this bad habit:

• Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) includes patches, gums, and lozenges.
• Medication: Varenicline (Chantix) and bupropion (Zyban) can help reduce smoking.
• Counseling: Counseling can help a person quit smoking.

Let’s all try to quit smoking and stay healthy.