Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both of the lungs. While normal lung tissue cells reproduce and develop into healthy lung tissue, these abnormal cells reproduce rapidly and never grow into normal lung tissue.7 Lumps of cancer cells (tumour) then form and disrupt the lung, making it difficult to function properly. More than 87% of lung cancers are smoking related.8 Smoking also increases the risks of developing mouth cancer, lip cancer and cancer of the throat (pharynx).9Chest infections, asthma and throat infections are more common in smokers. 10
Emphysema is an irreversible lung disease associated with chronic bronchitis and excessive coughing.11 In emphysema, the air sacs in the lungs are enlarged and damaged.12 This reduces the surface area of the lung available for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. Severe emphysema causes breathlessness which is made worse by infections. It is estimated that smoking is associated with 75% of deaths from emphysema.13
The chemicals in tobacco can damage the lining of the blood vessels.14 This helps in the build up of fatty material along the inner lining o the arteries, this is known as Atheroma (sometimes called ‘hardening’ or ‘furring’ of the arteries).15 Atheroma is the main cause of heart disease, it is also a cause stroke due to damage to the brain arteries.16 Atheroma in the blood vessels of the penis causes impotence in man.17 Smoking also increases the blood pressure and it decreases the amount of oxygen carried by the red blood cells.18 Carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke combines with the haemoglobin to form carboxyhaemoglobin which is a non reversible reaction and this reduces they oxygen carrying capacity of the red blood cells.
Heart burn happens when acidic juices from the stomach splash into the oesophagus.19 Normally a muscular valve at the lower end of the oesophagus, the lower oesophageal sphincter keeps the acid solution in the stomach and out of the oesophagus.20 Smoking decreases the strength of the oesophagus valve, there by allowing stomach acid to reflux, or flow backward into the oesophagus.21
Smoking also has an effect on the bones, smoker have a higher chances of developing osteoporosis and arthritis.22 Smoking has cosmetic effects also like radiating wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, sallow yellow-grey complexion, stained teeth and bad breath, stained fingers and nails and loss of self confidence.23
Smoking doesn’t only affect the smokers but it also affects the people around us such as our friends and our family and the public this is why smoking is not permitted in many public areas. People who inhale environmental tobacco smoke (second hand smoke) are known as the passive smokers.24 They have an increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease. The environmental tobacco smoke (second hand smoke) is an irritant and can make asthma and other conditions worse. Children who are passive smokers are more prone to ear, nose and chest infections.25 Some individuals find smoking unattractive and may not want to have any intimate relations with a smoker.26
Life insurance is more expensive for smokers and finding a job may be more difficult as employers know that smokers are more likely to be on sick leave than non-smokers. This mean that smokers tend to be unemployed hence they have to survive on social benefit. The government imposes high tax on cigarette to discourage people from smoking; the tax obtained is then used in other things like funding the NHS (National Health Service), unemployment benefits and many more. Smoking causes a number of health complications not only to the smoker but also to the passive smokers this means that the government ends up paying more to the national health service than what it obtains from tax.
I personally feel that smoking should be band in public places and tobacco should be treated as a drug because it’s addictive and has a lot of harmful effects on the human body. Smokers spend a lot of money buying cigarettes which is expensive. It will also help improve the government’s budget; the government will have to spend less on social benefit. The money used to operate the smoking quit lines could be used more efficiently elsewhere.
Bibliography
Web pages:
4,18,24 and 25-
10,11 and 12-
19, 20 21-
22,23-
7- http://www.lungcancer.org/patients/fs_patient_about.htm
8,13-
Leaflets about smoking from Bellevue Medical Centre:
0, 1, 2- Bellevue Medical Centre- patient handout on smoking
3*- Bellevue Medical Centre- patient handout on smoking and Bellevue Medical Centre patient information leaflet.
5,14 and 15,16- Bellevue Medical Centre- patient information leaflet.
Books and magazines: .
6, 17 and 26 - (femail on line magazine)
9-Biozone text book.
Quit smoking helpline 0800 002 200
