Smoking leads to many health disorders, ranging from frequent illnesses to life-threatening diseases. However, smoking has non-medical effects that plague smokers and nonsmokers alike throughout their lives. If worrying about the health hazards of smoking isn't enough for smokers to deal with, they also have non-medical obstacles that affect their lives.
Cost
Smokers spend a lot of money on cigarettes. The American Cancer Society suggests that smokers multiply the amount they spend each day on tobacco and multiply it by the 365 days in the year to see what it is costing. Then multiply that number times 10 to realize how money could be better spent for the next 10 years. Smokers also have higher health and life insurance costs. Health-care costs go up because of smokers' tobacco-related illnesses and diseases. Heavy costs face everyone because of the billions of dollars spent each year on health-related costs and the cost of lost productivity due to illnesses and deaths caused by smoking, the American Cancer Society says.
Appearance
Many people can smell smoke when approached by a smoker. The smoke is on a smoker's breath, hair and clothes. Smokers often have yellowish fingers, fingernails and teeth. Smoking triggers the production of bacteria in plaque, leading to dental problems, according to Stop-Smoking-Tips.com. Smoking also contributes to gum disease, increasing the risk of losing teeth. Romantic relationships are limited for smokers because of their appearance. They are often limited to meeting other smokers, who make up less than 21 percent of the population, the American Cancer Society points out. Smokers who quit may find their lives begin to improve because they look better.
Acceptance
Smoking has become less acceptable in the workplace, in many establishments and at people's homes, the American Cancer Society notes. Nonsmokers have a better chance of being hired than smokers, who fall ill more often and cost businesses productivity. Friends and relatives of smokers may not like having anyone smoke in their homes. Smokers may even lose many friends. Smokers have to step outside at restaurants, stores or sporting events to sneak a smoke. Smoking sets a bad example for children in the home and in the community.
Fire Hazard
Nearly 1,000 smokers and nonsmokers die each year because of home fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking substances, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. A third of people killed in home fires are children of smokers, the administration says. About 25 percent who die in home fires are friends or neighbors of the smokers. People die from someone smoking in bed or leaving a lit cigarette around that ends up dropping onto a chair, bed or carpet. Cigarettes being tossed away before they are extinguished result in the destruction of buildings and forests. Until smokers give up the unhealthy practice, they should smoke only outside or in safe areas, use sturdy ashtrays and make sure the cigarettes and ashes are out, the administration says.
