These 14 Concerning Smoking Side Effects Will Make You Want To Quit Cigarettes Today!
Health
Published on: 27-May-2024
10 min read
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Lalita Vishwakarma
These 14 Concerning Smoking Side Effects Will Make You Want To Quit Cigarettes Today!
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Hello, readers! Did you know that every year, over 8 million people worldwide die because of tobacco use? That's a really big number! It's not just smokers who are affected but also non-smokers who are unintentionally exposed to second-hand smoke.
That's why it's important to spread awareness about the dangers or side effects of smoking cigarettes. World No Tobacco Day is coming up on 31 May 2024, and this year, the focus is on protecting children from the tobacco industry's influence.
It's important to ensure young people are shielded from harmful tobacco products and misleading advertising. That's why here in this blog, we have shared the top 14 horrifying smoking side effects that you should be aware of. So, continue reading to know how important it is to quit smoking to protect yourself and your loved ones.
Key Highlights
World No Tobacco Day (WNTD) is observed on 31 May every year, and it was first established by the WHO in 1987.
Smoking is the major cause of lung and mouth cancer.
After 2-12 weeks of quitting smoking, the circulation and lung function improve.
Smoking gives you bad breath and also affects fertility.
After 20 minutes of smoking, your heart rate and blood pressure decrease.
Table Of Contents
Top 14 Side Effects Of Smoking
Does Smoking Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis?
How To Quit Smoking?
Expert’s Advice
The Final Say
FAQs
References
Top 14 Side Effects Of Smoking
Here are the 14 horrifying side effects of smoking that you should be aware of:
1. Lung Cancer
Smoking is one of the leading and most common causes of cancer. The carcinogenic substances present in cigarette smoke are usually associated with the development of malignant tumours and can cause serious consequences for your respiratory system.
It contains over 7,000 chemicals, with at least 70 known carcinogens (substances that can cause cancer). These chemicals damage the DNA in lung cells. Not only this, smoking also weakens the body's natural ability to repair DNA damage. This means that the damage caused by smoking chemicals is more likely to persist and lead to cancer.
2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
COPD includes a group of respiratory diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, that result in airway obstruction and difficulty breathing. Smoking cigarettes is a major risk factor for COPD, and long-term smoking can cause inflammation and damage to the lungs and alveoli.
COPD symptoms such as cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath can interfere with daily activities and reduce the overall quality of life. Despite clinical interventions, COPD remains the leading cause of disability and death worldwide.
Also Read: 10 Best Tips To Stop Smoking Cravings
3. Cardiovascular Disease
Another important smoking side effect is it can cause cardiovascular disease, thus increasing the risk of heart attack, heart disease, and stroke. Nicotine and other chemicals in cigarette smoke encourage plaque formation on artery walls, causing the walls to narrow and harden.
This process, called atherosclerosis, blocks the flow of blood to vital organs and leads to heart attacks. Although smoking is associated with cardiovascular risk, this highlights the importance of quitting smoking for both smokers and non-smokers.
4. Weakened Bones
Unconditional smoking is associated with poor bone density and an increased chance of osteoporosis and fractures, especially in postmenopausal women. The toxins in smoke inhibit bone development, cause calcium deficiency, and inhibit osteoblast function, weakening bones and causing bone fractures.
5. Highly susceptible to Respiratory Infections
Individuals who smoke a lot are more prone to lung diseases such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and colds. The poison in the smoke prevents the body from fighting disease, making the smoker more prone to infection and recovery.
Also, smoking can worsen existing breathing problems, make symptoms worse, and increase the risk of complications. This risk of respiratory infection further emphasises the importance of tobacco in respiratory control.
6. Triggers Oral Health Complications
Smoking harms your oral health and increases your risk of periodontal disease, tooth decay, and oral cancer. Harmful chemicals in smoke can damage the mouth's soft tissues, weaken gums, and encourage bacterial growth. If left untreated, then it can cause pain, infection, and even tooth loss.
Not only this, but it also leads to oral cancer, which affects the lips, tongue, mouth, and throat. Regular dental examinations and quitting smoking are essential for oral health and reducing the risk of oral cancer.
7. Reduced Fertility By Disrupting Hormones
Smoking can negatively affect fertility, reducing fertility in both men and women. For women, smoking can disrupt hormones, affect ovarian function, cause infertility, and cause infertility or pregnancy problems.
For men, smoking can reduce sperm motility, decrease the sperm count and increase the risk of erectile dysfunction and fertility problems. Quitting smoking is important for couples trying to get pregnant because it can improve pregnancy outcomes and improve pregnancy outcomes.
8. Leads To Complications During Pregnancy
Smoking's side effects during pregnancy result in premature birth, disability, miscarriage, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and low birth weight. Harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke can cross the placenta and expose the fetus to toxins that can affect growth and development.
Smoking cigarettes during pregnancy also increases the risk of complications such as premature abruption of the placenta, preeclampsia, and growth failure. Pregnant women are asked to quit smoking to protect their health and to ensure the growth and development of the fetus.
9. Premature Aging
Smoking accelerates ageing, causing premature wrinkles, sagging skin, and dull skin. The toxins in cigarettes damage the collagen and elastin fibres in the skin, disrupting their elasticity. Smoking frequently restricts blood flow to the skin, depriving it of essential nutrients and oxygen.
These effects can also appear as signs of premature ageing, causing smokers to look older than non-smokers. Quitting smoking can help slow the ageing process and improve your skin's overall appearance and health.
10. Asthma Exacerbation
Smoking worsens asthma symptoms and worsens asthma symptoms. Allergens and allergens in smoke cause inflammation and bronchoconstriction, which leads to increased stamina and asthma.
11. Eye Diseases
This is another side effect of smoking that can lead to macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Toxins in smoke can damage blood vessels in the eye, reducing blood flow and oxygen delivery to the retina. This leads to the progression of AMD and vision loss in older people.
Smoking also increases the risk of cataracts, lens clouding, and diabetic retinopathy (a complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness). Quitting smoking is important to protect eye health and reduce the risk of vision impairment.
Also Read: Lung Detox: The Treatment For Smokers
12. Psychological Effects
Smoking not only harms your body, it also harms your mind and health. Nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes, changes brain chemistry and can lead to addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and negative emotions.
Many smokers report using cigarettes to cope with stress, anxiety, or depression. By quitting smoking, you can improve mental health outcomes, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, and improve your overall emotional state and well-being.
13. Gastrointestinal Disorders
Smoking increases the risk of stomach diseases such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and Crohn's disease. Smoking weakens the mucosal barrier of the digestive system, causing insufficient blood flow and causing digestive problems in people.
14. Second-hand Smoke Effects
Passive smoking poses a significant risk for non-smokers, especially children, pregnant women, and people with pre-existing health problems. Exposure to second-hand smoke increases the risk of respiratory infections, asthma, respiratory distress syndrome (SIDS), and heart disease, underscoring the importance of smoke-free environments and interventions impacting public health.
Does Smoking Cause Rheumatoid Arthritis?
The relationship between cigarette smoking and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is complex. There is evidence that smoking increases the risk of RA and worsens the disease in individuals diagnosed with RA. Toxins in second-hand smoke can lower your immunity and stimulate the production of inflammatory cytokines, leading to self-tolerance and the development of the autoimmune response characteristic of RA. Smokers with rheumatoid arthritis tend to have more disease activity, more damage, and more disability than non-smokers.
Although the exact reason for the association between smoking and RA has not been fully elucidated, smoking plays an important role in the onset and progression of autoimmune disease. Individuals can reduce their risk of RA and increase the effectiveness of RA treatment by quitting smoking, which may lead to longer life and quality of life.
How To Quit Smoking?
After knowing about the side effects of smoking cigarettes, here are some of the tips and tricks that can help you quit smoking:
Step | Description |
Commit to Quitting | Decide to quit and understand your reasons (health, money, etc.) |
Set a Quit Date | Pick a day in the next few weeks to quit |
Inform Others | Tell supportive people about your decision |
Understand Your Triggers | Identify situations that make you want to smoke (stress, social interactions, etc.) |
Create a Quit Plan | Develop a plan to quit smoking, including: |
Avoid Smoking Triggers | Take steps to avoid situations that make you want to smoke |
Prepare for Withdrawal Symptoms | Understand and be prepared for common withdrawal symptoms |
Stay Busy and Active | Engage in activities and hobbies to distract yourself |
Stay Positive and Persistent | Remind yourself of the benefits of quitting, and don't give up on setbacks |
Seek Support | Surround yourself with supportive people |
Celebrate Milestones | Recognise and reward yourself for smoke-free days, weeks, months |
Stay Persistent | Quitting may take multiple attempts; learn from setbacks and adjust your plan |
Celebrate Success | Celebrate becoming smoke-free and enjoy the health benefits |
Expert’s Advice
As a health expert, I would advise you not to smoke because it can cause serious harm. It is loaded with harmful chemicals that can cause damage to your mouth and respiratory system, leading to cancer and heart disorders. It is best to follow the tips on quitting smoking mentioned in the blog. Plus, prioritise a healthy and nutritious diet enriched with fruits, vegetables, proteins and whole grains to help support your health and well-being.
Health Expert
Akshata Gandevikar
The Final Say
After learning about the dangerous side effects of smoking cigarettes, let's commit to saying "no" to this harmful habit. It's crucial to explore healthier ways to quit smoking, as it poses a significant threat to physical health, increasing the risk of life-threatening diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and respiratory conditions, as well as exacerbating existing health and developmental issues. By prioritising tobacco control and promoting smoking cessation, we can strive to build a healthy, smoke-free future for everyone.
FAQs
1. How long does smoking affect your health?
Smoking does not cause hazardous effects on health on the spot; rather, it takes a toll on health over a period. If you have a smoking habit, gradually, the effects will be observed.
2. Which is the main part of the body affected by smoking?
The lungs and heart are the two main parts of the body affected by smoking.
3. How does smoking cause damage?
When you smoke, it directly attacks your air sacs and causes damage to your lungs, leading to problems like asthma and breathing issues.
References
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