Many people crave for a cigarette after a meal, during a break, or when drinking alcohol. This is a habit that often grows on you. But why do people get into the habit of smoking? A cigarette is made up of tobacco which contains a stimulant compound named nicotine. After inhaling cigarette smoke, nicotine enters the bloodstream and reaches the brain; after it enters the brain, it releases chemicals known as dopamine and endorphin. These are feel-good chemicals which the brain releases to establish positive behaviors. The body gradually gets addicted to the release of these chemicals by the brain, and hence gets addicted to the habit of smoking.
According to the U.S Department of Health & Human Services, the leading cause of death in the country is tobacco, accounting for more than 443,000 deaths per year. Hence, many people try to quit smoking and prevent other complications that can arise from nicotine in the long run.
Impact of tobacco
Tobacco has several negative impacts on almost every organ of the human body. A brief insight has been given below:
Mouth: Each puff of smoke you inhale contains a black, thick, and sticky substance known as tar which is highly toxic and contains carcinogenic compounds. Tar, on entering the mouth, coats your teeth and gums, damaging and discoloring your teeth’s enamel and makes them vulnerable and sensitive to infections. This is why smokers are much more prone to losing teeth at an early age than non-smokers.
Not only do the teeth and gums get affected by the smoke but the heat and carcinogenic substances also damage the cells inside the mouth over time making them vulnerable to mutations and infections. These infections, if not treated properly, can lead to oral cancer at later stages.
Throat, trachea, and esophagus: The smoke of cigarette destroys the lining of the throat causing the smoker’s voice to become hoarse. Over time, it can develop tumors and can lead to throat cancer. Smoke also damages the mucosal cells that are present in the back lining of the throat. This causes frequent infections and painful dryness of the throat. Tobacco smoke also destroys the muscles present in your esophagus (food pipe) and can lead to developing acid reflux which is quite painful.
Lungs: After passing through the trachea, the smoke enters the lungs and damages the natural cleaning mechanism of the lungs. This smoke builds up tar and other harmful chemicals in the pulmonary alveoli of the lungs. In the short term, it can cause breathlessness, wheezing, fatigue, and dizziness. Gradually, it can make the smoker’s lungs more prone to several lung infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Heart and blood vessels: One of the most harmful chemical compounds that are found in cigarette smoke is carbon monoxide which is readily absorbed into the bloodstream. On entering the blood, it binds with hemoglobin in place of oxygen. The poisoned red blood cells travel through the arteries to all organs of the body making the smoker feel tired and out of breath. The long-term effects can include coronary heart diseases, aneurysms, and atherosclerosis which can prove very fatal.
Cigarette composition
There are almost more than 500 toxins and additives that are used to make cigarettes. These additives vary from brand to brand to give a unique taste to their cigarettes. Some of the major toxic compounds include the following:
Formaldehyde: It is used to preserve dead bodies. Short-term exposure to this compound can cause nausea, watery eyes, and breathing problems.
Radioactive metals: Carcinogenic compounds such as Lead-210 and Polonium-210 are present in cigarettes which are very harmful and can make the smoker vulnerable to lung cancer.
Benzene: It is also a carcinogenic compound and is especially linked to developing leukemia.
Ammonia: It is a common household chemical used for cleaning. It actually boosts the effect of nicotine on the human body. Many companies use this compound to keep the smokers addicted to smoking.
Arsenic: It is used as a pesticide on tobacco plants. It is also listed as a carcinogenic compound.
Avoiding smoking is the best way to stay away from oral, throat, lung, tracheal, and heart diseases. Moreover, you can decide to quit by consulting a doctor and attending therapy sessions or using nicotine tablets.
