Cigarettes are made up of a complex mixture of more than 4,000 ingredients. Among them include tobacco, tar, cyanide, ammonia, menthol and formaldehyde. These substances pose multiple safety risks to the health and environment. In fact, the American Cancer Society states that tobacco is the cause of almost 444,000 deaths in the United States every year.
Emphysema
According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the leading cause of emphysema. Oxygen normally enters the blood by traveling over the surface area of the lungs, which are covered by thousands of small sacs. Emphysema destroys the walls between the sacs, decreasing the flow of oxygen to the blood. Symptoms include cough, shortness of breath, fatigue and weight loss. In its later stages, patients require oxygen masks to breathe properly. Emphysema cannot be cured, however, if smoking is discontinued, its effects may slow down.
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services warns that smoking poses a safety risk for the entire family. Babies who have parents that smoke are more likely to die as a result of sudden infant death syndrome, of SIDS, according to the department. This is because nicotine disrupts a baby's ability to breathe. In addition, it interferes with the development of neural circuits in the brain that prevent the cessation of breathing while sleeping.
Chronic Bronchitis
The American Cancer Society states that chronic bronchitis is a common disease of smokers. This condition causes the lungs to produce excess mucus, which results in coughing. As the illness progresses, the airways become swollen and inflamed. In addition, the cough often turns chronic. Eventually, the airways can become blocked by mucus and scars, leading to dangerous infections of the lungs.
Hearing Problems
Smoking also can have an impact on the ears, according to the American Medical Association, which explains that smoking can affect the circulatory system supplying the auditory mechanism of the ear. As a result, people who smoke have a higher risk of developing hearing loss than those who do not smoke, notes the AMA.
Fire
Besides its effects on the body, the U.S. Fire Administration reports that smoking also poses a fire hazard. Approximately 1,000 people die each year as the result of a cigarette-caused fire, explains the administration. A huge fire can occur in just a few seconds from a cigarette that accidentally falls on a bed or ashes that are not tapped into an ashtray.
