If cigarette smoking harmed only those who smoked, the health and economic impacts on their lives would be bad enough. Injury to nonsmokers from secondhand smoke, however, is increasingly being considered a crime that deserves punishment.
Because smoking addiction is a disease in itself, tobacco users aren't penalized for their actions with a loss of their personal freedom. Steep taxes and legally designated areas to contain cigarette smoking are some of the growing restrictions placed on smokers to discourage them from infringing on the rights of others.
Short-Term Health Problems
Cigarette smoking damages the lungs and airways, and alters immune system function. The U.S. Surgeon General's 2004 report cites evidence that smokers are more prone to respiratory system infections--such as cold, flu, pneumonia and bronchitis--than nonsmokers. Respiratory symptoms from smoking include coughing up phlegm and wheezing.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) relate that cardiovascular damage begins early in a tobacco use habit. Smoking raises blood pressure and cholesterol and reduces overall physical fitness.
Long-Term Health Problems
These bad conditions worsen over time. The CDC notes that chronic bronchitis and emphysema set in as airways are scarred and lung tissue is damaged. Due to cardiovascular degeneration and increased blood clotting tendencies, coronary heart disease, heart attack, stroke and aneurysm become more likely.
The risks for lung cancer, leukemia, and throat, kidney and stomach cancer all increase with the length and amount of cigarette smoking. All of these health problems are potentially fatal.
Secondhand Smoke Damage
Most of the health threats associated with tobacco use apply to other people who ingest secondhand smoke. Individuals with asthma, allergies, bronchitis and heart disease can experience severe symptoms after breathing secondhand smoke, the U.S. Surgeon General's 2006 report notes.
Environmental cigarette smoke can cause coronary heart disease and lung cancer in nonsmokers. The surgeon general's report also names secondhand smoke as a direct cause of sudden infant death syndrome.
Financial Ramifications
Among the bad things about smoking is the high price of tobacco use, which isn't limited to the cost of cigarettes. An annual pack-a-day habit, according to the American Lung Association (ALA), may run anywhere from $1,825 to $3,650, for starters. Prescriptions and medical bills from an increased rate of health problems push the total upward.
In addition, an ALA survey found that 51 percent of smokers with chronic bronchitis or emphysema were limited in their job performance by these conditions. Paychecks and career opportunities missed due to illness represent much larger financial consequences than tobacco purchases.
References
- CDC: 2004 Surgeon General's Report, The Health Consequences of Smoking
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Smoking Health Effects FAQs
- Office of the U.S. Surgeon General: 2006 Surgeon General's Report, Secondhand Smoke, What It Means to You
- American Lung Association: Why Quit?
- American Lung Association: COPD
