Tobacco is the plant material found in cigarettes, cigars and smokeless products like snuff and dip. Nicotine---the main active compound in tobacco---is highly addictive and has a stimulating effect on the heart and central nervous system. Despite the well-known health risks of smoking, many people find it very hard to quit. Awareness about cigarette smoking and tobacco facts allows smokers to make informed decisions about their health.
Numbers and Statistics
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the U.S. According to the National Cancer Institute, smoking is responsible for some 438,000 deaths per year, or roughly one in every five deaths in the U.S. Many tobacco-related deaths are attributable to lung cancer, with 80 percent of lung cancer cases in women and 90 percent in men resulting from smoking, notes the institute.
Features
Cigarettes contain tobacco, a plant rich in nicotine. When burned, tobacco produces tar-filled smoke that accumulates in the lungs and impairs their functioning.
In addition to tar and chemicals, tobacco contains radioactive substances known to cause cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, cigarettes are high in polonium-210 and lead-210, which are two radioactive materials that occur as byproducts of phosphate fertilizers used to grow tobacco.
Health Effects
While it is most notorious for causing lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, smoking has been linked to many other types of cancer as well. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tobacco increases the risk for a variety of cancers, including cancer of the pancreas, kidney, cervix, uterus and bladder. Pregnant women who smoke put their babies at risk for a host of problems, such as low birth weight, premature birth and sudden infant death syndrome, notes the CDC. Because it constricts blood vessels and raises blood pressure, tobacco smoke increases the risk for heart attack and stroke. Respiratory diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis are also more prevalent among smokers.
Misconceptions
Some brands claim that their cigarettes produce lower levels of tar; however, all cigarettes are capable of causing diseases like lung cancer and emphysema.
The idea that smokeless tobacco is safer than cigarettes is also somewhat misleading. While slightly less harmful than smoking, dips and snuffs can still lead to the development of heart disease, gum disease and cancers of the mouth, lips, tongue and throat, according to Mayo Clinic.
Addiction
The nicotine in cigarettes is highly addictive and can make it hard to stop smoking despite known health risks. According to "The New York Times," nicotine is comparable to heroin, amphetamines and cocaine in its addictive potential and may be even harder to quit than these drugs.
Fortunately, many products exist to help smokers quit, including nicotine patches, gums and prescription medications like varenicline. Some people find that quitting abruptly---or going "cold turkey"---works best for them, while others prefer to taper down gradually. Hypnotherapy, laser therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy provide other options for quitting.
References
- National Cancer Institute: Tobacco Statistics Snapshot
- Environmental Protection Agency: Tobacco Smoke
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking
- Mayo Clinic: Chewing tobacco: Not a safe alternative to cigarettes
- "The New York Times" Magazine: Nicotine: Harder To Kick ... Than Heroin
