Smoking causes or aggravates many diseases, many of which can significantly decrease the life span. Today, tobacco is the leading cause of preventable death: every year it is estimated to cause 5.4 million deaths worldwide.
Tobacco, a deadly poison
What is dangerous in tobacco is the very numerous chemical substances found naturally or added by manufacturers: tar, mercury, arsenic, acetone, hydrogen cyanide, etc. Transformed by combustion, carried into the lungs by smoke, they enter the bloodstream and cause heart and blood vessel diseases, as well as many cancers.
In addition, these substances directly affect the skin, mouth, throat and bronchi. Even without swallowing the smoke, the risk of cancer of these organs is increased and, for the skin, the signs of aging appear much faster.
Nicotine is not toxic as such, but it is what creates the addiction and connects the smoker.
Here are some interesting facts to remember :
- The inhaled smoke of a cigarette contains more than 4,000 chemical compounds of which more than 50 are carcinogenic.
- "100% natural" or "organic" cigarettes are as harmful as cigarettes produced by multinational tobacco companies. Any plant that burns naturally releases chemical compounds and the tobacco plant is no exception.
- The chemical substances released by the combustion of tobacco products come from the soil, from the manufacturers and from the combustion itself (burning something creates new chemical compounds). All these substances (of natural and industrial origin) are poisons when inhaled.
The dangers of tobacco on health in general.
Tobacco puts us at risk for almost all organs: carcinogenic effects (mouth, tongue, throat, bronchus, lung), cardiovascular (infarction, arteritis, stroke) and respiratory (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema). In addition, it increases the risk of almost all forms of cancer.
The dangers of smoking on fertility and pregnancy.
Smoking decreases fertility in both women and men, and advances the age of menopause.
In addition, it is estimated that about one third of ectopic pregnancies are caused by tobacco: some toxic tobacco compounds block the contractions of the tubes that direct the embryo to the uterus, and prevent its adhesion to the uterine walls. The risk of ectopic pregnancy increases with the number of cigarettes smoked each day.
If the future mother is regularly exposed to tobacco smoke (including passive smoking), the risk of miscarriage is multiplied by 1.5 to 3, in proportion to the number of cigarettes smoked each day. 10% of women who do not smoke, this risk can reach 20% or even 35% among those who smoke more than one and a half pack per day.
Finally, smoking increases the risk of fetal growth retardation, increases the risk of premature labor by 3, and is one of the risk factors for sudden infant death (risk of dying before 1 year multiplied by 1.8).
The dangers of tobacco on aesthetics.
Tobacco colors teeth yellow and promotes gum disease, sources of long-term tooth decay.
The skin takes on a dull complexion and wrinkles more easily because the size of the small nourishing vessels of the skin is reduced.
Decrease in life expectancy :
Tobacco use leads on average to a decrease in the life of:
According to a study published by The British Medical Journal, each smoke cigarette reduces life by eleven minutes. Researchers at the University of Bristol have achieved this result by taking into account in their calculations, on the one hand, the observed differences in life expectancy among men who are smokers and non-smokers, and on the other hand the latest demographic data on English and Scottish male population. They report finding a difference of 6.5 years in life expectancy between smokers and non-smokers. Knowing that the average annual number of cigarettes consumed is estimated at 5,772 (or just under a pack a day), the authors have calculated that if a man smokes from age 17 until his death at age He is 71 years old and will consume a total of 311,688 cigarettes in his lifetime. A simple calculation thus makes it possible to determine that each cigarette contributes to shortening the life of 11 minutes.
The 7 rules to stop smoking :
- Set a stop date and stick to it.
- After stopping, absolutely avoid taking a cigarette, even a single puff: the risk of relapse is too important.
- Get rid of all cigarettes, lighters and ashtrays.
- Write the list of the inconveniences of tobacco and the benefits of the judgment.
- Ask others not to smoke in your presence. The first few weeks, avoid places where you smoke. However, if you can not or do not want to avoid these places, then decline politely but firmly any offer of cigarette. Be proud to stop smoking !
- Warn those around you that you have quit smoking. Get support.
- Change your routine to avoid places and situations where you used to smoke.
