Smoking is a drag. Not only is it hazardous to your health and those around you, but smoking also carries negative social implications. Unfortunately, it's one of the hardest addictions to defeat. Still, it can be done. If you smoke and need some incentives to quit, there are many issues with smoking to learn about. If you need help quitting, talk to your doctor about smoking cessation programs and other treatment options.
Harmful Ingredients
According to the American Lung Association, cigarettes contain an average of 600 ingredients, and every puff you take releases more than 4,000 chemicals. Not surprisingly, many of these agents are toxic, and at least 50 of them are known carcinogens. Just a sampling of chemicals produced in cigarette smoke include arsenic, or rate poison; formaldehyde, also known as embalming fluid; methanol, the primary constituent of rocket fuel; and lead.
Smoking and Osteoporosis
The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases says that the link between smoking and an increased risk for osteoporosis was established at least 20 years ago. Smoking not only significantly contributes to bone loss and increases the risk of suffering a bone fracture in your later years, but it also inhibits the healing process when a bone-related injury occurs.
Smoking and Infertility
According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, cigarette smoking impairs a woman's ability to conceive and carry a fetus full-term. Cigarette smoke impacts the ovaries by decreasing the amount of eggs available for fertilization, and those that remain may be subject to genetic mutations. In addition, smoking may accelerate the onset of menopause. In men, cigarette smoking is associated with a reduced sperm count and impaired motility. For couples trying to conceive via in vitro fertilization, nearly twice as many attempts are necessary in smokers compared to non-smokers.
Effects on Skin
Time may march on and place a few "laugh lines" on your face along the way, but cigarette smoking contributes to premature wrinkling. According to Richard D. Hurt, M.D., of the Mayo Clinic, nicotine restricts the blood vessels, which impairs the flow of blood and oxygen to your outer layer of skin. In addition, the chemicals found in cigarette smoke interfere with the functions of collagen and elastin, which results in loss of skin tone and elasticity. What's more, wrinkling isn't limited to your face and can occur elsewhere on your body.
Personal Issues
Aside from the negative health effects of smoking, there are plenty of personal issues to deal with too. Nicotine produces stubborn yellow stains on teeth and nails that can be very difficult to remove. When you smoke, your hair and clothing absorbs the smell, which others notice even if you can't detect it. Chances are, smoking is prohibited at your workplace and the public places that you frequent, meaning you must stand alone outside to smoke, perhaps even in inclement weather.
