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Overview
Smoking cigarettes is much less
prevalent - and less socially acceptable - in the UK than it used to
be but millions of people still do it despite widespread knowledge of
the dangers. Cigarette consumption peaked in 1945 and has fallen steadily
ever since. Yet smoking still kills about 50,000 people in the UK each
year, through cancer, heart disease and other illnesses. It damages
health and quality of life for thousands of others.
What are the dangers of smoking?
Tobacco smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of them toxic. The
most harmful are tars, which cause cancers; nicotine, an addictive,
stimulant drug; and carbon monoxide, a poisonous gas that reduces the
ability of blood to transport oxygen.
As oxygen is cut by up to 15% in smokers, the heart has to work much
harder. Nicotine also puts extra strain on the heart by stimulating
the nervous system. In addition, it makes the blood more likely to clot.
Ready-made cigarettes also contain salpetre to keep them alight - this
too is toxic when burnt and inhaled.
What does that add up to?
Smokers of between 15 and 20 cigarettes a day are 15 times more likely
to die of cancer of the oesophagus and 10 times more likely to die of
lung cancer than non-smokers. They are twice as likely to die of a heart
attack or cancer of the bladder. A pregnant woman who smokes is more
likely to have a miscarriage or premature delivery. The baby has a higher
risk of being born ill. Smoking is also proven to cause kidney disease,
chronic bronchitis, high blood pressure, emphysema and cancer of the
cervix and bowel.
What are the other harmful affects of smoking?
The nicotine in tobacco smoke stops the small hairs (cila) in the
lungs from sweeping up debris. This stimulates production of mucus that
cannot be cleared. A 'smoker's cough' is the body's attempt to get rid
of the mucus. Smoking also depletes vital nutrients such as Vitamins
A, B1, B2, C and D, zinc and bioflavinoids. Symptoms of deficiency can
result.
Passive smoking, active danger
Breathing in other people's smoke is known as passive smoking. This
has been in decline in the workplace and on public transport for several
years because of the growing trend towards non-smoking policies. These
days it poses most danger in the home, where young children are often
subjected to noxious fumes from adults. Anyone exposed to a smoky atmosphere
will be vulnerable to the same catalogue of diseases as the smoker.
How do you quit smoking?
To stop smoking you have to really want to. But once you have worked
out the benefits of quitting, it can be surprisingly easy to break the
habit. Your GP or health centre will be able to help you.
A good approach at first is to consider why you smoke and find out other
ways of fulfilling those needs. For instance, if you smoke because you
are anxious try another form of relaxation. If you smoke for stimulation,
look for other forms of excitement. If you can't remember why you smoke,
it's definitely time to quit.
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