By: Busra Ozkaya
Almost all smokers always have some excuses, including stress relief, social pressure,
addiction, or simply enjoying the act of smoking. In other words, they constantly struggle to
legalize and justify smoking for themselves. According to American Cancer Society data, 34
million adults still smoke cigarettes in the USA. Additionally, smoking causes an estimated
480.000 deaths every year, which means about 1 out of 5 deaths in the USA. Smoking is the
leading cause of preventable diseases, disabilities, and premature death in the USA.
If these statistics are not compelling enough to reconsider smoking, allow me to take you
on a journey through the human body exposed to and affected by tobacco smoke. Some may
confidently assert, “I have never smoked and don’t plan to” Unfortunately, I have bad news for
you as well. Even if you’ve never smoked yourself, exposure to secondhand smoke from others
categorizes you as a “secondhand smoker,” placing your health at risk, much like 58 million
nonsmoking Americans. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco claims
the lives of over 8 million people annually worldwide, including an estimated 1.3 million non-
smokers exposed to secondhand smoke.
Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, including at least 70 known
to cause cancer in humans and animals, it is no surprise that tobacco use is recognized as a major
risk factor in many serious diseases.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Smoking is a primary cause of chronic lung diseases such as chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), which involves airflow blockage and serious breathing-related
problems. Tobacco smoke irreversibly damages the cilia and destroys the tiny air sacs (alveoli)
responsible for exchanging carbon dioxide for oxygen in the lungs. As a result, smokers face
significant challenges and experience serious symptoms such as a persistent cough, commonly
known as “smoker’s cough,” along with shortness of breath and tightness in the chest, especially
during physical activity.
As COPD advances, individuals may struggle with difficulty breathing, speaking, and
maintaining mental alertness, in addition to exhibiting symptoms such as blue or gray lips and/or
fingernails, a rapid heartbeat, swelling in the feet and ankles, and weight loss. Since there is no
cure for COPD, lifestyle changes and treatments can only offer limited relief and slow the
progression of the disease. Ultimately, as the struggle for each breath intensifies, COPD can
become fatal.
Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)
Smoking is a major contributor to CVD, with numerous studies indicating that smoking is
responsible for one in every four deaths from CVD. The most prevalent type of CVD in the
The United States is coronary heart disease, also known as coronary artery disease. In this
condition, the main blood vessels carrying blood to the heart narrow, leading to potential
complications such as chest pain, heart attack, heart failure (where the heart cannot pump
enough blood and oxygen to other organs), and arrhythmia (irregular heartbeats).
Smoking is a significant factor in these disorders as it elevates triglyceride levels and
reduces ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL). This effect promotes the accumulation of plaque—a
combination of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other substances—in the blood vessels, leading to
their thickening and narrowing.
Additionally, smoking causes blood to become sticky and prone to clotting, which can
obstruct blood flow to the heart and brain. Consequently, smoking increases the risk of stroke,
either by blocking the blood supply to the brain or by causing a blood vessel in the brain to
rupture, resulting in the death of brain tissue.
Cancer
For years, doctors have recognized the link between smoking and lung cancer. This
remains true today, with nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancers attributed to smoking cigarettes. The
toxins present in cigarette smoke can compromise the body’s immune system and alter the DNA
of cells. Consequently, cancer cells are allowed to proliferate unchecked. Ultimately, these
mechanisms can impact all organs and systems in the body, making smoking a potential cause of
cancer in numerous areas including the blood (acute myeloid leukemia), bladder, cervix, colon
and rectum, esophagus, kidney and renal pelvis, larynx, liver, lungs, mouth and throat, pancreas,
stomach, trachea, lung, and bronchus.
Furthermore, smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco, also poses a cancer risk,
including cancers of the esophagus, mouth and throat, and pancreas.
Women’s Health & Pregnancy
Numerous recent studies have demonstrated that women who smoke, as well as those
exposed to secondhand smoke, may encounter greater difficulty in becoming pregnant. Research
also indicates a connection between tobacco use and miscarriage, preterm delivery, low birth
weight, and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Furthermore, smoking during pregnancy
can result in tissue damage in the unborn baby, particularly affecting the lungs and brain. Some
studies have also identified a correlation between maternal smoking and cleft lip anomalies.
In conclusion, this list could be extended to include numerous other significant and
serious diseases and outcomes associated with smoking. However, what truly matters at this
juncture is how much you care for yourselves and your loved ones. Ultimately, the decision rests
with you, but isn’t it worthwhile to pause and reconsider?
