Smoking is a leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Apart from direct smokers harmful effects of cigarette smoking also extends it’s effects to secondhand smokers.
Here are five of the most harmful effects of smoking:
- Lung cancer: Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for about 85% of all lung cancer deaths. The risk of lung cancer increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and the length of time that a person has smoked.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): Smoking is also a major cause of COPD, a group of lung diseases that make it difficult to breathe. Symptoms of COPD include chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive asthma.
- Heart disease: Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, including heart attacks and stroke. The chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the lining of the blood vessels. Blood clots occur due to damaged blood vessels.
- Diabetics: One of the main causes of type 2 diabetics is Smoking. Smoking makes it harder to manage all types of diabetics. A diabetics person who smokes may develop serious health problems.
- Tuberculosis: Every year with the use of tobacco 8 million people are dying as per WHO’s report. With smoking chances of developing TB is doubled and the recovery becomes difficult.
In addition to these harmful effects, smoking also causes a number of other health problems. Effects include increased risk of osteoporosis, cataracts, and various types of cancer, such as bladder, kidney, and cervical cancer.
Smoking is also a leading cause of death in many countries. Quitting smoking is the best way to reduce the risks of smoking-related health problems. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and other medications, as well as behavioral counseling, can help smokers quit.
Smoking, a serious health concern affects not only the health of smokers but also the health of secondhand smokers. The harmful effects of smoking are well-documented. There is no safe level of exposure to tobacco smoke. To reduce the risks of smoking-related health problems, it is important for smokers to quit smoking. Non-smokers should avoid exposure to secondhand smoke.
In conclusion, smoking is a major public health concern that causes a wide range of serious health problems. Lung cancer, COPD, heart disease, pregnancy complications are serious problems related to smoking. There are a number of effective treatments available to help smokers quit.