There is no physiological benefit to smoking cigarettes. In fact, smoking causes damage to almost every part of your body from the brain to the heart, all the way down to the skin. Many people remain addicted to smoking because of the immediate effects it seems to have on mood, short-term memory and concentration. The American Heart Association states that out of the 2.4 million annual deaths in the United States, approximately 440,000 can be directly linked to smoking, making it the most preventable cause of premature death.
Cancer
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains that carcinogens from cigarette smoke damage genes that control the growth of cells, causing abnormal or rapid cell growth. This leads to tumors and cancers. The most prevalent form of cancer among smokers is lung cancer, but since cigarette smoke travels throughout the body, it can be directly responsible for cancer in many other organs. According to the CDC, smokers have lower levels of antioxidants, which are essential in the removal of free radicals, another cancer-causing agent.
Cardiovascular
Chances of heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions, are increased in the hours directly following smoking. According to a 2001 article in "Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association," a study conducted by Satyendra Giri found that smoking causes the onset of intracoronary thrombus, which is a blood clot in the blood vessel. Giri studied angiograms of 902 patients after symptoms of myocardial infarction, 348 of whom where smokers. The results determined that smoking triggers the thrombus and the onset of a myocardial infarction, and a larger thrombus is directly related to the time of the last cigarette smoked.
Circulation
Cigarette smoke increases the coagulability of blood, which results in greater instances of blood clots in the brain, around the heart and in the legs. Blood clots can lead to strokes, fatal heart attacks and circulation problems. Diminished circulation reduces oxygen flow and can lead to angina or severe pain in the chest. Decreased blood flow can also lead to erectile dysfunction.
Respiration
Besides causing cancer, smoking damages the alveoli, which are responsible for air filtration and absorption of oxygen into the blood. It damages the lung walls, decreasing their ability to expand and contract when breathing. This leads to chronic coughing and wheezing and eventually to conditions such as emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD. According to the CDC, about 90 percent of cases of death due to COPD can be directly attributed to smoking.
Oral
Cigarettes and oral tobacco products cause oral problems such as gum disease and tooth decay. Cancers of the mouth are prevalent in those who use chewing tobacco. Chemicals in the smoke destroy taste buds, which can affect sense of smell. Chronic bad breath, no matter how much you may brush or floss, is also a result of smoking.
Other
Smoking breaks up collagen and elastin bonds in the skin, leading to premature aging. Macular and vascular degeneration can lead to vision problems. Exposure to secondhand smoke can cause asthma in children as well as lung damage, ear infections and pneumonia, according to "The New York Times" health guide. Circulation and cellular damage leads to poor wound healing and chronic illness.
References
- "The New York Times" Health Guide: Making the Decision to Quit Tobacco
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Highlights: How Smoking Harms People of All Ages
- American Heart Association: Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease
- "Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association"; Cigarette Smoking Increases the Magnitude of Intracoronary Thrombus Observed During Acute Myocardial Infarction; Satyendra Giri; March 2001
