Why is smoking Harmful?
Tobacco contains mainly an addictive substance known as nicotine. This along with 19 other recognized cancer causing chemicals results in various illnesses and death worldwide. In addition, it also contains about more than 400 chemicals among which carbon monoxide, acetone, cyanide, ammonia and methane are few of the major ones related to the numerous disturbances in the normal functioning of the body.1
Addiction
Although nicotine has several stimulating effects initially, it results in the development of tolerance wherein an individual requires higher doses to attain the same stimulation that he/she used to attain with 1 cigarette initially. Ultimately, it results in the individual becoming dependent on nicotine, the unavailability of which may result in irritation, anxiety, sleeplessness, decreased concentration and craving for smoking.2
Smoking is both harmful to the one who smokes as well as to the one who inhales it passively. Individuals who are exposed constantly to the tobacco smoke are at increased risk of developing lung and heart disorders. Infants and children are more prone to develop asthma, infections of the throat and decreased functioning of the lungs. Pregnant women who smoke are at the high-risk of delivering their babies prematurely and also put their unborn child to the risk of death in the womb,1
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Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 27, 2012