Health Risks
Smoking is the single
greatest avoidable cause of disease and death.
Every year about 438,000 Americans die as a result of smoking or
inhaling second hand smoke. About 40
percent of these deaths are from cancer, 35 percent from heart disease and
stroke, and 25 percent from lung disease.
New studies have shown that about half of all regular cigarette smokers
die of a smoking-related illness. Smoking not only harms your lungs, it negatively affects
nearly every organ in the body.
Smoking is the leading cause of cancer, and leads to the
most deaths from cancer. These cancers
include lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas,
stomach and cervix. Smoking has been
shown to cause heart disease, stroke, lung disease, hip fractures and
cataracts.
At
least 250 of the 4,000 chemicals found in cigarette smoke are known to be
harmful. Some of the most toxic
chemicals include hydrogen cyanide (used in chemical weapons), carbon monoxide
(found in car exhaust), formaldehyde (used in embalming fluid), ammonia (found
in household cleaners), and toluene (found in paint thinners).
Regardless
of age and duration of smoking, quitting can significantly reduce risk of
cancer and greatly improve overall health.
Although smoking rates have declined over the years, more
than one in five Americans smoke. In 2004, this included about 21 percent of
adults and more than 22 percent of high school students. Among young people ages 18-24 almost 28 percent are
smokers. Approximately 26 percent of white, 22 percent
of Hispanic and 13 percent of African American high school students currently smoke
cigarettes. Of America’s middle school students,
about 8 percent are current cigarette smokers.
Benefits
of Quitting
- You will feel better: Your heart rate and blood pressure will
drop, you will produce less phlegm, circulation will improve and you will
breathe easier.
- Your energy will
improve: More oxygen will reach
your heart, lungs and muscles. This
will make you feel stronger and more energetic.
- You will reduce the risk of
illness: Your body will be able to
fight illnesses such as colds much better.
- Food will taste better: Your sense of smell and taste will
return and your appetite will improve.
- You will save money: Figure out how much you spend each week
on tobacco products, and then multiply that by 52 weeks to find out how
much you spend per year. Many
people find they are spending about $1,000 per year on tobacco
products! Think of something nice
to buy with the extra cash you will save.
- You’ll look better: Your teeth will be whiter and your
clothes and breath will smell better.
- Your self esteem will
improve: Quitting will help you
feel more control over your life.
Depression that is caused by nicotine will lessen. Also, you will feel good because you are
doing something to help yourself!
- You will protect those around
you: Quitting will help protect
your friends and family from the dangers of second hand smoke.
Better Physical Health: Within…
- 20 Minutes: Blood pressure decreases, and pulse slows to its normal rate. Temperature in hands and feet increase to normal.
- 8 Hours: Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal, and oxygen level increases.
- 24 Hours: Breath, hair, and body stop smelling like smoke. The chance of having a heart attack begins to decrease.
- 48 Hours: Damaged nerve endings begin to recover. As a result, senses of taste and smell begin to improve.
- 72 Hours: The body is virtually free of nicotine. The bronchial tubes relax, making it easier to breathe.
- 2 Weeks to 3 Months: The lungs can hold more air. Exercise becomes easier and circulation improves.
- 1 Month to 9 Months: Coughing, congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia are more effective in cleaning the lungs to prevent infection. Overall energy increases.
- 1 Year: The risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half.
- 5 years: The risk of having a stroke is reduced to that of a non-smoker.
- 10 years: The risk of developing lung cancer is cut in half.
- 15 years: The risk of coronary heart disease drops, usually to the level of non-smoker.
Students can receive free one-on-one
tobacco cessation counseling through Student Health Services. Call 737-WELL or stop by the SHS to sign up
for an appointment.
