If you watch old movies, you probably can't help but notice how prevalent smoking was in American society. Back in the day, smoking cigarettes was viewed as sexy. When you offered a cigarette to someone, it was a social gesture. Today, the attitudes surrounding smoking have changed dramatically. No longer is smoking viewed as something glamorous. In part, the reversal is due to its health effects.
Lung Cancer
In 1964, the surgeon general declared that cigarette smoking caused cancer. Prior to this announcement, only 44 percent of Americans saw a link between smoking and cancer. Today, smoking accounts for 30 percent of all cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. The risks are due to the toxins of cigarettes which are then released through its smoke. The society further reports that more than 60 carcinogens or cancer-causing agents are found in tobacco and tobacco smoke.
Respiratory Conditions
In addition to cancer, cigarette smoking increases your risk of other respiratory conditions, such as emphysema and bronchitis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it also causes heart disease. Unfortunately, the effects of your smoking are not confined to you alone. Those around you are also at risk. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), secondhand smoke causes 3,000 lung cancer deaths each in year in people who do smoke. That means anyone living in your home including your spouse and children are threatened by the effects of smoking.
Significance
The good news is that smoking has declined among adults and high school students. CDC figures show that smoking in adults declined from 42.4 percent in 1965 to 19.8 in 2007. For high school students, smoking declined from 28.3 percent in 1991 to 20 percent in 2007. Yet, despite the decrease, the economic costs of smoking are staggering. The CDC estimates that smoking costs Americans over $190 billion each year due to lost productivity and tobacco-related health care costs.
Complications
Several factors contribute to the harmful health effects of cigarette smoking. It can act as a trigger for allergy sufferers, causing nasal congestion, coughing, and watery eyes. It can also cause asthma in children as well as middle ear infections, according to the EPA. If you have a respiratory condition, such as pneumonia or asthma, your smoking can make it worse. However, the effects do not end here. A 2000 study published in the journal, "Preventive Medicine," found that cigarette smoking accounted for 30 percent of all U.S. fires each year.
Quitting
If you smoke regularly, you will soon become addicted to the nicotine present in cigarettes. This addiction can complicate your efforts to quit smoking. According to the American Cancer Society, most smokers need help to break their addiction. The society estimates that of the 70 percent of smokers who want to quit, less than 7 percent actually do. If you are having trouble kicking the habit, consult with your doctor for resources in your area.
References
- American Cancer Society: Cigarette smoking
- Surgeon General: The 1964 Report on Smoking and Health
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Smoking and tobacco use
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency: Health effects of exposure to secondhand smoke
- "Preventive Medicine;" Fire Injuries, Disasters, and Costs from Cigarettes and Cigarette Lights: A Global Overview; B. Leistikow et al; August 2000
