The Perils of Tobacco: PDF

The Perils of Tobacco: Understanding the Risks of Smoking and Its Impact on Health Figure 1; The Perils of Tobacco Smoking, the act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning plant material. A variety of plant materials are smo...

The Perils of Tobacco: Understanding the Risks of Smoking and Its Impact on Health Figure 1; The Perils of Tobacco Smoking, the act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning plant material. A variety of plant materials are smoked, including marijuana and hashish, but the act is most commonly associated with tobacco as smoked in a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Tobacco contains nicotine, an alkaloid that is addictive and can have both stimulating and tranquilizing psychoactive effects.1 Despite the well-documented risks, millions continue to smoke, often unaware of the severe health implications associated with this habit. Understanding the dangers of smoking is crucial not only for individual health but also for societal well-being (second-hand smokers). This essay explores the health risks posed by smoking, its broader societal impacts, and potential solutions to curb tobacco use. Tobacco kills up to half of its users. Tobacco kills more than 8 million people each year. More than 7 million of those deaths are the result of direct tobacco use while around 1.2 million are the result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke. 2 Figure 2; Tobacco Statistics What Are The Constituents Of Cigarettes? Tobacco is mostly consumed nowadays in the form of cigarettes. Cigarettes are a toxic mix of over 7,000 chemicals, including more than 70 that can cause cancer when inhaled from cigarette smoke. Some toxic chemicals found in cigarettes:  Nicotine: the addictive drug that produces the effects in the brain that people are looking for  Hydrogen cyanide  Formaldehyde  Lead  Arsenic  Ammonia   Radioactive elements, such as polonium-210  Benzene, Carbon monoxide  Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) 3 Figure 3: What Are The Constituents Of Cigarette? https://cbqmethod.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/harmful-chemicals- in-cigarettes.jpg Why Do People Smoke? People smoke because they find it pleasurable, and quitting can be challenging once they start, despite the harmful effects on their health. This difficulty arises from the cravings for nicotine, which can lead to discomfort when it's not available. Nicotine triggers the release of chemicals in the brain that create a sense of well-being. Smoking can make you feel:  Relaxed and at ease  Energized and alert  More focused on tasks Additionally, smoking often serves as a social activity and becomes part of daily routines, similar to having morning coffee. Individuals might smoke for enjoyment, to calm their nerves before socializing, or to enhance concentration while working. Some enjoy the taste or simply the sensation of holding a cigarette. 4 Why Is Quitting Tobacco So Difficult? Figure 4; Why Is Quitting Tobacco So Difficult? https://th.bing.com/th/id/R.731114601f436f8ba9114aa8ca816e0d?rik=aE%2fYJnUVKtKQOA&riu=http%3a%2f%2fwww.thekindpen.com%2fwp- content%2fuploads%2f2018%2f01%2fWhy-Quitting-is-Hard2-800x618.jpg&ehk=9GoSdsTOMXk5tExLsOoR1ffnmALpZw0vDeF536Rk0Bw%3d&risl=&pid=ImgRaw&r=0 Quitting tobacco is hard as a result of nicotine dependence. Nicotine dependence occurs when you need nicotine and can't stop using it. Nicotine is the chemical in tobacco that makes it hard to quit. Nicotine produces pleasing effects and activates receptors that release dopamine, adrenaline, endorphins, serotonin and other “feel-good” signals in your brain4, but these effects are temporary. So you reach for another cigarette. The more you smoke, the more nicotine you need to feel good. When you try to stop, you experience unpleasant mental and physical changes. 5 Health Risks Involved In The Smoking Of Tobacco: How Smoking Affects The Body Figure 5: Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking | CDC The dangers of smoking are multifaceted, affecting nearly every organ in the body. 1. Cardiovascular diseases  Smokers face a higher risk of cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and coronary heart disease.  Even those who smoke fewer than five cigarettes daily may show early signs of these conditions.  Smoking harms blood vessels, causing them to thicken and narrow, leading to an increased heart rate, blood pressure, and clot formation.  A stroke can occur either when a clot obstructs blood flow to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Additionally, smoking-related blockages can diminish blood flow to the legs and skin. 6 2. Respiratory diseases Smoking can lead to lung disease by harming your airways and the tiny air sacs (alveoli) in your lungs. Diseases linked to smoking include; Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which encompasses emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Most instances of lung cancer are attributed to cigarette smoking. For individuals with asthma, exposure to tobacco smoke can either trigger an attack or make worse an existing one. 6 3. Body Deformities  Bones: Nicotine decreases calcium absorption and bone cell formation, leading to weaker bones.  Eyes: Harmful chemicals in cigarettes and reduced oxygen can damage the eyes, increasing the risk of macular degeneration, cataracts, and vision impairment.  Smoking also causes the yellowing of teeth. 4. In pregnant women Smoking can make it harder for a woman to become pregnant. It can also affect her baby’s health before and after birth. Smoking increases risks for:  Preterm (early) delivery  Stillbirth (death of the baby before birth)  Low birth weight  Sudden infant death syndrome (known as SIDS or crib death)  Ectopic pregnancy  Orofacial clefts in infants 6 Smoking Affects The Non-smokers Around You Smoking around individuals puts their health at risk, as they inhale smoke from the burning cigarette or the smoke exhaled by the smoker. Second-hand smoking refers to the involuntary inhalation of smoke by non-smokers who are near someone smoking tobacco. Second-hand smoke in adults leads to serious cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, such as coronary heart disease and lung cancer. In infants, it can cause sudden infant death syndrome, and in pregnant women, it results in low birth weight. Ventilation and filtration do not adequately reduce indoor tobacco smoke exposure; only 100% smoke-free environments offer effective protection. 7 Social And Economic Impact Of Smoking Tobacco Smoking tobacco has significant negative impacts on both society and the economy. The ramifications of smoking extend far beyond individual health. Economic Burden of Tobacco Use:  There is significant financial strain on global healthcare systems, billions are spent annually on treating smoking-related illnesses.  Funds diverted from other critical health initiatives. Impact on Productivity:  Smokers are more likely to miss work due to health issues, which leads to lost workdays and decreased productivity.  Affects businesses and places pressure on the overall economy. Environmental Consequences:  Tobacco production and disposal contribute to pollution and waste.  Cigarette butts are among the most littered items worldwide.  Tobacco farming leads to deforestation, disrupting ecosystems and contributing to climate change. Social stigma  Negative Perception: Smokers face judgment and disapproval from non-smokers, leading to feelings of shame as smoking becomes socially unacceptable.  Exclusion: Smokers may be ostracized from gatherings and feel isolated in designated smoking areas.  Impact on Relationships: Concerns from friends and family can strain relationships, and potential partners may avoid smokers due to health concerns. Measure To Reduces The Demand Of Tobacco In 2007, the WHO created a simple and affordable way to help countries reduce tobacco used called MPOWER. Each part of MPOWER matches at least one rule from the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The 6 MPOWER measures are:  Monitor tobacco use and prevention policies  Protect people from tobacco use  Offer help to quit tobacco use  Warn about the dangers of tobacco  Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship  Raise taxes on tobacco. 2 How To Quit Smoking? Figure 6; How To Quit Smoking https://www.freepik.com/free-vector/how-quit-smoking-infographic_10320139.htm Some ways to quit smoking are;  Use nicotine replacement therapy like patches, gum, or prescription options  Change daily habits and rituals associated with smoking  Stay active through exercise to distract from cravings  Practice relaxation techniques like yoga or deep breathing  Remove smoking reminders like ashtrays and lighters  Establish a support system with family and friends to stay accountable. 8 E-cigarettes and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) have gained popularity, particularly among young people, often serving as substitutes for traditional tobacco products or as their first experience with tobacco. Manufacturers claim their ingredients are safe, but the aerosols produced can contain addictive nicotine, flavorings, and various chemicals, some of which are toxic or carcinogenic. While levels of these substances may be lower than in traditional cigarettes, their variability due to lack of standardization raises concerns. The long-term health effects of ENDS remain unknown. 3 To conclude, the negative impacts of tobacco are evident on health, society, and the environment. Understanding these risks is essential for promoting a culture that prioritizes health and well-being. By raising awareness, implementing effective legislation, and providing support for the stop of the use of tobacco, we can combat the tobacco epidemic and create a healthier future for generations to come. We must collaborate to reduce tobacco use and protect both individual health and societal welfare from the pervasive threat posed by smoking. Figure 7:https://www.meghashop.com/2017/08/benefits-of-quitting-smoking-and.html Bibliographic References 1. Encyclopædia Britannica. “Smoking | Definition, Types, Effects, History, & Facts.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/smoking- tobacco. 2. WHO. Tobacco Fact Sheet Key Facts. 2022. 3. American Cancer Society. “Harmful Chemicals in Tobacco Products | American Cancer Society.” Www.cancer.org, 28 Oct. 2020, www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/carcinogens-found-in- tobacco-products.html. 4. Cleveland clinic. “Smoking & Disease | Cleveland Clinic.” Cleveland Clinic, 28 Oct. 2020, my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17488-smoking. 5. Mayo Clinic. “Nicotine Dependence - Symptoms and Causes.” Mayo Clinic, 19 Apr. 2022, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/nicotine- dependence/symptoms-causes/syc-20351584. 6. “Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 Aug. 2022, www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_s moking. 7. Tobacco: Why Is Smoking an Issue for Non-smokers? www.who.int/news- room/questions-and-answers/item/why-is-smoking-an-issue-for-non-smokers. 8. Clinic, Cleveland. “How to Quit Smoking: 7 Ways to Kick the Habit.” Cleveland Clinic, 15 July 2024, health.clevelandclinic.org/quitting-smoking. 9. “About Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking.” Smoking and Tobacco Use, 15 May 2024, www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/index.html. 10. Center, FDA. “Cigarettes.” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2019, www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/cigarettes. 11. Flor, Luisa S., et al. “The Effects of Tobacco Control Policies on Global Smoking Prevalence.” Nature Medicine, vol. 27, no. 2, Jan. 2021, pp. 239–43. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-020-01210-8.