The Cause and Effects on Smoking

The Cause and Effects on Smoking

In earlier times, tobacco was called herba panacea- meaning cure-all herb. People used to believe Tobacco had medicinal value. Some people even believed that smoking cleaned out the lungs. A French Ambassador named Jean Nicot brought Tobacco plants to Portugal in 1559, telling friends it was useful in treating wounds, asthma and cancer. The words nicotine and nicotiana came from Jean Nicot's last name. Did you know that in spite of the dangers, many people still become smokers. Many young people begin smoking as an act of rebellion or independence. Most adults smoke for relaxation and pleasure, and to satisfy a craving for nicotine. The purpose of this essay is to discuss three effects of cigarette smoking; such as its the leading cause of many life-threatening diseases, the appearance of premature aging on the body, and the extra cost of living. The effects of smoking on human health are serious and in many cases, deadly. Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body. There are approximately 4,000 chemicals in cigarettes, hundreds of which are toxic. The ingredients in cigarettes affect everything from the internal functioning of organs to the efficiency of the body's immune system. Not only does smoking increase a persons’ chances of developing lung cancer but many other cancers as well; including lip, oral, pharynx, esophagus, larynx, pancreas, cervix, bladder, and even kidney. The effects of smoking on the body can also include emphysema, heart attack, and stroke. Smoking changes the skin and teeth in ways that can add years to your looks. Smoking deprives the skin of oxygen and nutrients which causes internal damage to the skin structures and blood vessels. So some smokers appear pale, while others develop uneven coloring and there wrinkles develop earlier and go deeper. There are more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke, and many of them trigger the destruction of collagen and elastin. Yellow teeth are one of the most notorious effects of long-term smoking. People who smoke tend to develop gum disease, persistent bad breath, and other oral hygiene problems. The economic costs of smoking are heavy on the wallet. Not only do smokers pay more for health insurance due to the increased health consequences, but they also spend their much needed income for the home on cigarettes. This means that these families have less money to spend on such basic items as food, education and health care. This contributes to higher malnutrition and illiteracy rates. Tobacco users are less productive due to increased sickness, and those who die early deprive their families of needed income and burden them with their debts. These are only three out of many other effects that cigarette smoking can have on ones life and should be more than enough to help one realize that smoking is a bad habit. It is terrible for their health, personal appearance and income. The benefits of quitting smoking start right away. A person's health improves within minutes of the last puff from the last cigarette, and continues in the years that follow.