What gets a person to want to smoke? Life, stress, kids, and boredom could be the reason. Or is it because it is cool? Well trying to be cool can kill you and anyone you smoke around. I do not really understand the whole nicotine addiction, but I do understand the harmful effects it has on you and others. Nicotine is the most serious form of drug used in the U.S. In scientific measures, smokers show all the physiological signs of an addict.
Secondhand Smoke is a toxic health hazard. After 10 years of research EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) classified secondhand smoke as a "Group A Carcinogen", meaning it causes cancer in humans, and ranks it among health hazards such as radon and asbestos. Secondhand smoke may be the cause of 53,000 deaths of nonsmokers, using blood test 9 out of 10 Americans are breathing in the smoke 2 times more than the amount predicted. Children are especially affected by cigarette smoke because there is no way for them to escape the smoke's damaging effects. There may be 12 million American children 5 and under who are smokers but have never picked up a cigarette. Children who are exposed may cough, wheeze and have a hard time recovering from colds.
Quit SMOKING NOW!
Secondhand smoke can cause Asthma, Allergies and other respiratory or Viral infections such as Bronchitis and Pneumonia. Tobacco smoke is responsible for 307,000-522,000 cases of asthma in children under 15. Children with parents that smoke are twice likely to develop asthma, children who already have asthma it can get worse when exposed to smoking. 436,000 smoke-related bronchitis cases has been reported in children under 5 and there have been 115,000-190,000 reports of pneumonia. When exposed to the smoke the children can develop bad Ear Infections, Sinus Infections, Hearing Problems, Damaged Teeth, Stunted Growth, Birth Defects, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.) do to damaged lungs in infants. Between 284-360 children die from lung disease by secondhand smoke or fires.
Effects of Nicotine use: cloudy vision, cataracts, blindness, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, heart attack, lung cancer, emphysema, respiratory infections, colds lasting winter season, ulcers, stomach,throat, and bladder cancers. Also heartburn, urinary incontinence, lowered body temperature, more painful menstruation, earlier menopause, fertility problems, miscarriages/ stillbirths, backaches, slower healing, insomnia, fatter belly and love handles. Smoking and cigarette smoke can cause serious damage to the body, If you smoke be careful who you smoke around. If you have the willpower to quit and have family do it for them and most importantly do it for you.
Bring New Year In With A BANG & A HEALTHIER YOU! Quit SMOKING NOW!
Lorna Darden
2 comments:
I get so annoyed with smokers. I think it should be illegal. How can it be legal to smoke when it not only affects the smoker but everyone around them?
I agree with Amy. Smoking should be illegal! Before, I was actually a smoker, but I've read a lot of scary things about smoking and how it affects not only the smoker but also the people around the smoker. This time, I'll be listening to my dentist. St. Petersburg people have been showing some effort on those anti-smoking campaigns. Well, I don't know that many smokers here in St. Petersburg. Dentist, doctors, normal people, and the kids are helping each other for a smoke-free campaign.
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