Tobacco Smoking | Tobacco Free Mass

Effects of Smoking over Respiratory System

May 5, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Inspite of several warning and advices, many people still smoke cigarettes. Other than causing irrreversible damage to their own body, smokers pollute the enviornment and also cause several diseases to non-smokers. Oxygen is very important for all living organisms and good quality of the oxygen flow decides the energy release, working of metabolism, and even burn of nutrient. The breathing of oxygen and release of carbon-dioxide is normally performed by the respiratory system.

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Smoking is very injurious to health and tobacco contains harmful chemicals that interrupts the respiratory system. The harmful chemicals here include tar, carbon monoxide, radioactive compounds, hydrogen cyanide, metals, and free radicals. The craving for tobacco increases and aggravated and this become really painful when a person attempts to give up smoking. Though a person may give up smoking through counseling and other ways, it takes so many years for the respiratory tract to rehabilitate.

Smoking also causes different types of cancer, especially it causes lung, mouth, and throat cancer. Studies have revealed that tobacco also causes chronic bronchitis, a condition that makes breathing very difficult. Women who have the habit of smoking especially during pregnancy have miscarriges and still birth. Smoking also introduces some tar particles inside the respiratory system and these are the sticky substance that affects not only finger nails and teeth, but also affect delicate lung tissue.

Most importantly some components in tar is found to be the cancer trigger. Other than this, hydrogen cyanide affects lung clearance system. Also, these harmful chemicals damages heart and blood vessels, and this can lead to stroke and heart disease.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Respiratory system, Tobacco, Tobacco smoking

Do Smoking Prevention Methods Work

February 14, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Based on the number or people, including teens one sees smoking it may seem as if smoking prevention methods have failed. However, statistics indicate that these methods have been yielding results. They include counseling, advertising in the media and of course, drug therapy and plain old talking. While most of these programs target young smokers, many take aim at older adults as well.

There are now grants funding programs that are all aimed at smoking prevention and quitting. Many of the ads shown are graphic in nature and have scared people enough to make them want to stop smoking. While this is not always enough to have an impact on smokers who are hooked on nicotine, it does provide a starting point.

In 2002 information from the Centers for Disease Control indicated that the fall in the number of teen smokers is partially a response to prevention strategies. The fall in cigarette sales over the last few years is also seen as an indication that fewer people are smoking or people are smoking less.

Of course, there is the belief that on a whole school-based prevention programs are not very effective. This does not mean that these programs should be scrapped, but the message may need to be revamped.

One other benefit of smoking prevention programs is that they dissuade some children and teens from starting if they were so inclined. While figures are not easy to come by, it is to be hoped that the successes of the past are being replicated today. What some studies have shown is that the more effective programs are those that promote smoke-free zones such as a workplace or meeting area.

Filed Under: Addiction Tagged With: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Smoking cessation, Tobacco smoking

Understanding the Risks of Secondhand Smoke

February 12, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Secondhand smoke (SHS), also called passive smoke or environmental tobacco smoke, can have serious health implications for non-smokers. Research has proven that exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to diseases such as cancer and various respiratory illnesses.

Tests have shown that secondhand smoke contains at least 69 toxins that are known cancer-causing agents or have possible cancer causing effects. Some of the conditions that can result from or worsen due to exposure to secondhand smoke are:

Cancer

Many studies have proven that prolonged exposure to SHS has a carcinogenic impact on humans. It has been shown that people exposed to this type smoke have a higher risk of developing lung cancer.

There is also a higher possibility of brain tumors in children so exposed, even if their mothers are non-smokers.

Lung diseases

Apart from lung cancer, non-smokers who are exposed to passive smoke can develop lung-related illnesses as a result.

Circulatory problems

Heart disease and many circulatory conditions have also been linked to exposure to environmental tobacco smoke.

Respiratory conditions

There is ample evidence that exposure to secondhand smoke can make asthma and other respiratory conditions worse.

Pregnancy and birth complications

Some cases of low birth weight babies or premature births have been linked to the mother’s exposure to secondhand smoke. Passive smoking was linked to some cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by the US Surgeon General in a 2006 report.

Hearing loss and nose and throat infections have been attributed to some degree to exposure to passive smoke. Other illnesses that scientists and doctors are exploring for this relationship are allergies, dementia and some skin conditions.

Children and the sick are especially vulnerable to the effects of secondhand smoke. Continued research has shown that people exposed to secondhand smoke are as much at risk for some conditions as the smokers themselves. Despite all the evidence to date of the negative impact of SHS many smokers are still not sufficiently convinced to stop exposing others.

Filed Under: Addiction Tagged With: Cancer, Passive smoking, Tobacco smoking

The Health Cost of Smoking

February 10, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

The health cost of smoking has manifold angles. It takes in the cost to society as a whole and to the individual smoker and their family on the basic level. Of course, some smokers would argue that nonsmokers also add to health care costs since they live longer.

The Individual Costs

There are many additional costs that smoking adds to an individual’s expenses. The first of course is the cost to purchase the cigarettes. Each pack of cigarette is money that could have been saved or used for something else.

Smokers generally have to pay more for health insurance. They are considered high risk by insurers since smoking is known to cause some forms of cancers. Often their premiums far exceed what non-smokers pay for coverage.

The Cost to Society

Because smokers tend to have poorer health than nonsmokers, they place greater burden on the health system. Many of them develop cancers, heart disease and respiratory diseases. These lead to extended hospitalization and surgeries, and more often than not, they have to be on medication for life. The cost is mind-boggling considering the number of smokers as well as nonsmokers affected by passive smoke.

In 2009, figures reportedly from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that the cost of smoking for direct health care was $96 billion annually. Added to this was the projected loss in productivity of $97 billion per year. It is easy to see that this can have a negative impact on any economy.

In addition to the financial costs, there are also the emotional costs resulting from smoking. Many families have been destroyed after losing loved ones to smoking related illnesses. Children have had to see parents suffer from various illnesses that are directly related to cigarette smoking such as emphysema.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Cigarette, Passive smoking, Tobacco smoking

Women and Smoking: The Added Risks

February 3, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Women seem to face more risks from smoking. They are exposed to all the known health risks that men face such as cancers of the lung, throat, mouth and larynx, heart and circulatory diseases. However, they have to deal with unique situations as well.

Women who smoke could have fertility issues and problems while giving birth. It has been reported that smokers will generally take over a year to conceive in comparison to nonsmokers. Published reports suggest that the fertilization process in smokers can be impaired.

Babies of smokers are more likely to develop colds, allergies and respiratory illnesses than babies of nonsmokers. These babies may be born prematurely and even when they are full term, babies of smokers tend to be of low birth weight which can have health implications.

Women who use birth control also face certain dangers from smoking. Many ads for birth control products warn that women who smoke may be at increased risks of certain conditions such as blood clots and stroke. According to some of these ads, the danger increases after age 35.

Pre and post-menopausal women also have increased risks of some health conditions if they are smokers. Osteoporosis, bone density loss among older women, can be compounded by smoking. Female smokers lose more bone density than nonsmokers especially as they reach menopause.

It would seem that the cards are stacked against women smokers. The health risks discussed are just a few of the the known dangers when it comes to women and smoking. Thankfully, there are now many ways for women to get help to quit smoking.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Menopause, Smoking cessation, Tobacco smoking

Naturals Ways to Quit Smoking

February 1, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Every day people try to quit smoking without success. There are many products on the market that are designed for helping people quite the habit, but some want to do it naturally. There are lots of natural methods that smokers can try to help them get over the habit for good.

Herbs

There are many herbs that have been used for years as aids to help people quit. Some of them are quite popular such as St. John’s Wort, Lobelia and Ginseng. Some can be had as pills while others are used in powder form to brew tea.

Acupuncture

This ancient Chinese treatment has helped some smokers quit. The treatment is said to help by changing the taste of cigarettes, which result in the smoker not wanting to smoke. Some acupuncturists use herbs in conjunction with acupuncture to hasten the process of withdrawal and cessation.

Hypnotherapy

Many people who have quit smoking swear by this method. It may not be for everyone, but it may be worth a try.

Just Stopping

For many people it is hard to quit abruptly. However, this has been the route taken by many former smokers who have given up the habit. This is a good method for people who are strong willed as it is easier for them to stop cold turkey, that is, without the use of any other methods. This may have to be tried repeatedly before success is finally achieved.

These methods have proven successful for some smokers, but not everyone will succeed at the first try. Like all addictions, support and encouragement is needed to help the smoker start the quitting process and to stick to it.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Lobelia, Smoking cessation, Tobacco smoking

How to Identify a Person who Smokes

January 17, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Many of you may have heard about the harm and health risks of smoking, but how many of you have actually taken care to see the signs of a smoker? Smoking is a habit which can harm both you and your family, it would be better to keep away from it, and try to stop the habit before it gets out of hand. Lung cancer is not the only thing is causes; there are many other health risks.

One of the main sign of a smoker is the fingers and the teeth. The fingers would have a yellowish tinge, while the teeth would be stained. This is because the cigarettes contain nicotine, the chemical responsible for various health risks in you. It is a strong one and can cause addiction to the person using it. Nicotine has the ability to stain the nails and teeth.

Dark lips are a quality, albeit a subtle one. A person who smokes is said to have a darker lips than his normal color when he smokes. Another unstable sign is the smell. You can say whether a person has been smoking by the smell on his clothes but you can’t be hundred percent sure. This is because the smell sticks on to the cloth when the person is around smokers as well.

Also, people who have the habit of smoking get wrinkles and crow’s feet around their eyes much earlier than others who don’t. This is definitely bad news for the people who are extremely beauty conscious. Smoking is a habit which can make you look older than you actually are. In fact, it also affects your health. You can easily get out of breath or have eyes which look red.

Doctors who are experienced can identify heavy smokers at a glance. If you have the habit of smoking then it would be better to try to stop it and lead a healthy life.

Filed Under: Addiction Tagged With: Health effects of tobacco, Nicotine, Tobacco smoking

Health of a Smoker

January 16, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

You must have heard that smoking is bad for your health and that there are many risks associated with it both for you and those near you. There are people who don’t quit in spite of being aware of the consequences of continuing the habit. They simply can’t get away from it. They would continue the habit no matter what anybody tells them.

When you look at the risks that the smokers face, you find that all the major diseases are associated with their habit. In fact most people would be overwhelmed by the list. The first health risk would be respiratory diseases. The smokers would undoubtedly experience respiratory diseases at least once in their life. The cough and breathing troubles would be their companions for life.

The respiratory diseases also include the throat infections and the nose troubles. This is mainly due to the particles that enter the body through the cigarette smoke. There may be many particles that enter the body and some of them might prove to be irritants of a very dangerous type. Also you would have the clinging smell of the smoke when you use a cigarette.

Another major risk is the possibility of oral cancer. This is a very common and increasing form of cancer. It can be avoided if the smoking habit is avoided, but people seem to favor the disease than stop smoking. This attitude has made the elimination of this disease quite tough. Also there are other risks such as the infections and ulcers.

Stopping the habit of smoking is the best way to eliminate all these risks from the world. If not from the world, at least it would reduce the risks of such diseases by stopping the use of tobacco. Tobacco is the main carcinogenic substance in most types of cancers.

Filed Under: Health Tagged With: Cancer, Smoking cessation, Tobacco smoking

The Top Ways To Quit Smoking

January 13, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Smoking is one of the major problems in society. This is because of the diseases that smoking can cause in the person who is smoking. Other than causing diseases in the person who smokes, cigarettes and the tobacco can also cause problems in the person who is near a person who is smoking too.

A smoker can try to make sure that he quits smoking if some of the methods that are listed here are followed. The first thing that the smoker needs to know is that smoking can lead to health problems for him and also for the other people who love around him. There are several people who are still ignorant of these problems. Only a percentage of the population knows of all the health problems that can be caused by smoking. All the others need to be educated on the health problem that can be caused by this habit.

After the awareness is created, the smokers must be given a chance to come clean. This can be done by giving them tips to overcome smoking. Some of them can be asked to chew gum that helps to overcome smoking. There are some chewing gums that help to overcome smoking by creating an alternate sense of satisfaction in smokers.

Some of the smokers can be distracted from smoking by asking them to start a hobby in which they are interested. There are several kinds of hobbies that can be started by the person. They can start some things like musical instruments playing, singing, philately and others. All this causes the energy of the person to be focused on other methods and helps them to quit smoking. In case a person is not able to quit smoking in any of these methods, then the person should make sure that he uses the help of a counselor or a therapist.

Filed Under: Addiction, Health Tagged With: Cigarette, Smoking cessation, Tobacco smoking

The Facts on Secondhand Smoke

December 20, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Chances are that you or someone you know is a smoker. In fact, you have probably sat in the same room or area that they have smoked in. What many non-smokers do not know is that while they are not physically smoking the cigarette they are in fact experiencing a phenomenon known as passive smoking or secondhand smoking. This act of passive smoking or secondhand smoke can be just as dangerous as smoking the actual tobacco cigarette.

Tobacco cigarettes are made up of over 4,000 harmful chemicals and pollutants that can cause health problems. While a smoker who is inhaling it has a major chance of experiencing health problems from these chemicals, a person who is exposed to secondhand smoke is just as exposed to the health problems that can come from smoking tobacco cigarettes.

Here is a look at some of the statistics regarding secondhand smoke. While most of the statistics cover what happens to children, there are significant findings that secondhand smoke does affect both children and adults who are exposed to it.

In a study conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency it is estimated that over 3,000 cases of lung cancer are discovered in people who have never smoked a cigarette a day in their life. However, these people were exposed to amounts of secondhand smoke which is believed to be the cause of the cancer.

Children under the age of six who have been exposed to secondhand smoke showed increased signs of asthma. These signs developed over time and were not there when the children were born.

Cases of sudden infant death syndrome were higher in households that had large amounts of secondhand smoke.

Children of all ages that are exposed to secondhand smoke have multiple cases of inner and middle ear infections, pneumonia, bronchitis and colds and coughs.

Filed Under: Addiction Tagged With: Passive smoking, Smoking, Tobacco smoking