Smoking tobacco has long been associated with health risks and damage to the body. Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, tar and hundreds of chemical additives known to cause cancer. According to the World Health Organization, there are more than 1.3 billion smokers worldwide. Many smokers do not recognize the risks and dangers of smoking until chronic long term exposure has resulted in significant health problems. The immediate effects of smoking can cause acute damage to the body systems.
Cardiovascular Damage
The immediate effects of smoking can cause damage to the heart and vascular system. Tobacco contains nicotine, tar and other additives that alter optimal heart function. Nicotine immediately reduces the amount of oxygen flow to the heart, increasing the potential for cellular damage, known as myocardial infarction. The International Programme on Chemical Safety states that nicotine immediately causes increased blood pressure and peripheral vasoconstriction, causing a significant increase in the workload on the heart. In addition, Tobacco Free Kids, an online resource, states that the immediate effects of tobacco include an increase in cholesterol, plaque formation in the arteries, an increased risk for blood clots, and rapid and irregular heart beat.
Addiction
Even short term exposure to cigarette smoke can cause addiction. This takes place because of nicotine's powerful effect on increasing the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine is associated with a sense of pleasure, well being and mental stimulation. In August 2008, Science Daily reported that Dr. Steven Laviolette had found that the nicotine in tobacco can cause addiction even after the first exposure. Dr. Laviolette stated that in some individuals, the brain identifies nicotine as a highly rewarding substance and is associated with other addictive drugs such as alcohol and cocaine. In addition, in the November 2007 issue of the "American Journal of Public Health," Dr. Michael Rabinoff and associates found that cigarette additives such as acetaldehyde, increase addiction potential beyond that of nicotine alone. These additive increase tar and nicotine levels and the number of puffs taken.
Respiratory Damage
Tobacco smoke can cause immediate damage to the respiratory system. Tar and the many other cigarette additives can clog air pathways along the respiratory tract and cause significant inflammation. The Center for Substance Abuse Research at the University of Maryland states that short term smoking can cause decreased lung capacity, chronic cough, bronchitis, asthma and blood-borne halitosis. In addition, Tobacco Free Kids states that smoking can have immediate effects on the body including increased phlegm production, bronchospasms and decreased physical performance. New smokers often experience a decrease in physical performance due to the reduction in available oxygen in the blood.
References
- International Programme on Chemical Safety: Nicotine; Ocober 2009
- "American Journal of Public Health"; Pharmacological and Chemical Effects of Cigarette Additives; Dr. Michael Rabinoff et al; November 2007
- Tobacco Free Kids: Immediate Effects of Tobacco
- Science Daily: Why Some Smokers Become Addicted With Their First Cigarette
- University of Maryland: Effects of Tobacco
