Harmful Effects of Smoking

Before starting with what can go wrong when you smoke, here are some alarming smoking facts and statistics:

• Almost one-third of the total male population from all around the world smokes. And this number is on the rise.
• At every minute, there are seven people who die of tobacco use.
• Time spend while smoking cigarettes is equal to the time reduced from the person's average life span.
• Of all deaths caused due to lung cancer, more than 90% of these are because of cigarette smoking.
• There are approximately 50 known cancer causing compounds and more than 4000 other toxic substances present in a single cigarette.

Smoking, I believe, is the birthright of every individual who wants to look 'cool'. Any teenager who wants to be perceived as more 'happening' and bold compared to his peers, conveniently pops up the dreaded tobacco stick in his mouth and lights it up. What he does not realize is the fact that he is more of a 'fool' than 'cool', when he keeps blowing out smoke lines from his mouth.

Downsides of Smoking Cigarettes

Majority of smokers are either aware or suffer from various side effects of smoking. However, to refresh their memory, here are a few common problems with cigarettes:

• Smokers have higher chances of developing oral cancer compared to other people. Also constant smoking results in stains and blackening of teeth and gums.
• Apart from oral cancer, smokers are also vulnerable to lung cancer, if the habit pursues for a considerable amount of time.
• Heart attacks and other heart diseases are also caused due to regular smoking. Smokers also have higher chances of getting strokes compared to normal people.
• Immunity levels in the body are disrupted along with metabolism. A smoker constantly feels lethargic and thereby the body is using more nutrients than necessary even to perform daily routine tasks.
• The skin is also affected and loses its natural glow. Side effects like dark circles, wrinkles on the face and aging of the skin are also observed. Another harmful effect of smoking is sudden weight gain.
• Studies have shown, cases of emphysema are very high among smokers. Emphysema is a disease which is caused when delicate air sacks in the lungs are destroyed.
• Since cigarettes are made up of tobacco, one cannot side line the numerous harmful effects of tobacco as well.
• Average life span of a smoker gets reduced by at least 15 to 20 years.
• Women smoking, especially while pregnant, does increase chances of sudden infant death syndrome. Since it increases carbon monoxide content in the body, oxygen content takes a back seat and this could possibly result in the baby being born with certain birth defects.
• Asthma, tuberculosis and pneumonia are a few other fatal diseases the person can get affected by if he continues smoking for a substantial period of time.
• Lastly, the amount a regular smoker spends on cigarettes (and harming himself) everyday for, say, about 10 years, is huge.

Downsides of Smoking Hookah

The latest trend among youngsters seems to be smoking hookah, assuming it is less dangerous then compared to smoking cigarettes. Sadly, this is not the case. A hookah also contains a variety of chemicals which are equally toxic and can lead to lung cancer. Also the hookah puts added pressure on lungs as it needs to be inhaled with more force compared to a cigarette. Most of the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes apply to hookah as well. Thus, it is not at all a healthier alternative to smoking and therefore must be avoided.

Harmful Effects of Passive Smoking

Some people consider harmful effects of passive or second hand smoking to be worse than active smoking. This is true. A passive smoker inhales smoke which contains all toxic substances coming from the cigarette, along with the smoke being exhaled by the active smoker. This makes it even more dangerous and passive smoking effects are not very mild, and being in 'smoky' environment for long periods can lead to severe health disorders.

They say bad habits are like soft beds are very easy to get in but equally difficult to get out. And this is no more true in case of smokers. A wise man has rightly said, "a cigarette is roll of paper containing tobacco, with fire on one end and a fool at the other". So bear in mind the harmful effects of smoking and get rid of this disgusting habit as soon as possible.