Tobacco is the main ingredient in a cigarette and it provides the nicotine that causes addiction. A cigarette also contains about 4,000 other chemicals and particles, of which more than 40 are capable of causing cancer, according to the American Council for Drug Education. Tobacco contributes to the greatest number of preventable premature deaths in the United States. Cigarette smoking results in several unpleasant and sometimes fatal conditions.
Cancer
Tobacco use is often responsible for cancers of the lungs, larynx, mouth, throat, eosophagus, kidney, uterus, cervix and pancreas, among other organs. It is also responsible for some types of blood cancer. Cigarettes contains numerous carcinogens including tar, which is highly dangerous to the lungs and contributes to bronchitis and emphysema.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Smoking is a major risk factor in the development of heart disease. When a person smokes cigarettes or inhales second-hand smoke, the harmful gases in the smoke, such as carbon monoxide, enter the bloodstream and replace oxygen. Because of this, the heart has to work harder to access oxygen from a greater quantity of blood. Smoking also contributes to fat buildup in the arteries and blood vessels, thereby reducing the blood flow to the heart. Over time, this causes weakening of the heart muscles and can result in a heart attack. Similarly, smoking affects the blood flow to the brain. This can result in a stroke that causes paralysis or loss of speech or eyesight.
Lung Disease
A cigarette smoker has a higher chance of developing lung diseases such as emphysema and bronchitis. Emphysema is an incurable disease that causes problematic breathing, increased tiredness and breathlessness. Smoking causes emphysema by destroying the surfaces of the air sacs in the lungs. Cigarette smoking also contributes to bronchitis and smokers with bronchitis experience inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This causes intense coughing and discomfort due to excessive mucus.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Heavy smokers are at a higher risk of developing peripheral vascular disease or PVD. People who develop this disease experience a narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs. This narrowing reduces the amount of blood and oxygen that is available to the limbs, causing pain, delaying the healing of wounds and increasing rates of infection. The blood supply to the limbs can also stop completely if the arteries close down. This results in gangrene and possible amputation.
Mouth Diseases
Smoking cigarettes and chewing tobacco greatly increases the risk of oral cancers on the tongue, throat, lips and floor of the mouth. Regular exposure to tobacco smoke affects the cells in the mouth and the chemicals in the smoke cause extensive damage. In addition, smoking also causes white patches in the mouth, tooth decay, cavities and dental stains.
