According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cigarette smoking is the No. 1 preventable cause of death in the United States. Smoking involves health consequences that are often serious and tragic, as well as a financial cost of more than $139 billion in the U.S. annually. Smoking has a profound effect on the body and is directly linked to several deadly health conditions.
Nicotine
The nicotine in cigarettes comes from the leaves of the tobacco plant. Nicotine is addictive, meaning the body begins to depend on it and require it to maintain normal function. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, nicotine can either sedate or stimulate the human brain, depending on the quantity it receives. Some of the short-term physical effects include an improved mood, improved concentration and memory, and a generally positive feeling.
Health Risks
The health risks involved with cigarette smoking include cardiovascular problems such as blood clots, heart attacks, high blood pressure and strokes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says smokers are two to four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease, the No. 1 killer in the United States.
The risk of developing lung cancer is drastically higher in those who smoke. The risk for developing this cancer is 23 times higher in men who smoke and 13 times higher in women who smoke. Other forms of cancer are more likely in smokers, including cancers of the mouth and throat, and urinary, kidney, bladder, esophageal and uterine cancers.
Other health risks include fetal abnormalities and miscarriage in pregnant women, respiratory problems, decreased vision and infertility.
Deaths
Tobacco use causes an estimated 5 million deaths worldwide per year. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that smokers generally die 13 to 14 years earlier than nonsmokers. In the United States, smoking causes 443,000 deaths per year, and 49,000 deaths are caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.
Children and Smoking
The Nemours Foundation says that each day, 3,900 children become smokers. Nicotine is a dangerous addiction for a child, and the habit of smoking can predispose them to experiment with illegal drugs. Parents can help protect their children by educating them about the dangers of nicotine and encouraging them to resist any peer pressure to experiment with cigarettes. Additionally, parents need to realize that whether they smoke or not plays a huge role in their children's decision to smoke.
Smoking Cessation
The social and physical benefits from smoking cessation are numerous. Although quitting is hard, it's completely possible, and previous failed attempts to stop smoking should not be viewed as evidence that it's impossible for any one individual. It's important to have the support of family and friends, and to accept the aid of health care professionals or counselors while a person's body and mind adjust to a nicotine-free environment.
