Tobacco users begin their habits because the nicotine in cigarettes acts on the human brain to cause a pleasurable feeling. The harmful effects of cigarette smoking, however, extend far beyond a few moments of euphoria to produce the opposite result, disease and death. Because symptoms of deep-seated health problems take time to develop, smokers continue to focus on pleasure, often until it is too late. The American Cancer society reports that half of all smokers will die from diseases related to smoking.
Addiction
Addiction is the first problem that smokers face. The National Institute on Drug Abuse notes that once a smoker builds a nicotine tolerance, it becomes extremely difficult to quit, and is even tougher to do so if the habit began before age 21. Tobacco use is considered as mentally addictive as cocaine and as physically addictive as heroin.
Heart Health Problems
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, nicotine and other substances in cigarettes speed up heart rate and damage blood vessels to bring on atherosclerosis, or clogged arteries, in a relatively short time. This health problem combines with other factors related to cigarette smoking to cause coronary heart disease. Cardiovascular and blood clotting abnormalities may end in heart attack, aneurysm or stroke.
Breathing Problems
The American Lung Association notes that coughing and wheezing symptoms progress with persistent tobacco use as the airways and lungs become damaged. Scarring of the bronchi and holes in lung tissue result in inflammation and lower blood oxygen levels. This causes breathing difficulty known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which limits exercise tolerance and general physical activity.
Cancer
Nicotine, one of more than 60 carcinogens in cigarette smoke, enters the bloodstream in a gaseous state and goes wherever the blood flows. While lung cancer is the most prevalent cancer health problem due to cigarette smoking, the U.S. Surgeon General's 2004 report listed many other sites at risk from tobacco use. These include throat, stomach, kidney and pancreas cancers.
Effect on Nonsmokers
As the American Cancer Society notes, secondhand smoke also causes heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory problems for adults and children. Pregnant women who smoke or who breathe secondhand smoke can transmit toxins to their babies, raising the risk for sudden infant death syndrome.
High Cost
Rising taxes and prices make cigarette smoking expensive, and most smokers never take a day off. The American Lung Association reports that a daily habit of one pack, at $5 to $10 per pack, totals as much as $3,650 for a year of smoking.
