http://smokeforwhat.com/no-smoking-quotes.php
Everyone
knows that smoking is bad for one's health. The intention of this post is not to
get on my podium and rant about the contentious issues that have long been smoldering
between smokers and non-smokers, and I apologize in advance for any
unintentional conflict that may ensue. Instead, I merely aim to present some
basic facts about smoking in order to help those wishing to make informed decisions
about protecting their health from unsafe exposure.
Is smoking
really as dangerous as they say?
A preliminary
study in 1950 by epidemiologists Richard Doll and Austin Bradford Hill showed a
strong and real association between smoking and lung cancer. The study also
indicates that the more one smokes, the higher the risk of developing carcinoma
of the lung. Further, the act of smoking appears to cause the same amount of
harm whether the smoke is being inhaled or not!
Above the age of 45, the risk of
developing [lung cancer] increases in simple proportion with the amount
smoked,
and that it may be approximately 50
times as great among those who smoke 25 or more cigarettes a day as among
non-smokers.
~ Doll
& Hill, 1950, p747
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In 1951,
the British doctors study began, which charted the smoking habits and health
conditions of about 40,000 physicians over a period of about 50 years. The first
report appeared in 1954, which confirmed an increase in mortality with the
amount smoked, with a significantly increased likelihood of lung cancer death
amongst those who smoked 25 or more cigarettes a day. The report also proved
that there was an increased risk of death from coronary thrombosis as the amount
of cigarettes smoked increased.
The
results of many decades’ follow-up were published in a final paper in 2004,
which confirmed that the hazards of long term smoking had previously been
significantly underestimated. About a half of the people who continue to smoke
may ultimately die from their addiction. Typically, cigarette smokers shorten
their lives by about 10 years. The risks continue to be high with low tar
cigarettes.
On
average, cigarette smokers die about 10 years younger
than
non-smokers
The
risk of being killed by tobacco is doubled with persistent smoking
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Other
cancers that are linked to smoking are mouth, larynx, oesophagus, kidney,
pancreas, uterus and bladder. Studies also suggest that smoking causes heart
disease as well as numerous other diseases. The World Health Organisation (WHO)
estimate that in 2025 to 2030 there will be 7 million tobacco deaths. Half are
likely to die in middle age, between 35 and 69 years old.
Secondhand smoke
Secondhand
smoke (also known as passive smoking) can also have serious consequences on the
health of children and adults who do not smoke, as it contains many of the same
chemicals as the smoke that is breathed in by smokers. Secondhand smoke
involves the inhalation of the smoke released either directly from a burning
cigarette or from the smoke exhaled by the smoker. It holds a poisonous
cocktail of at least 4,000 chemicals (e.g., arsenic used in pesticides,
formaldehyde used to embalm dead bodies, and hydrogen cyanide used in chemical
weapons), many of which cause a variety of major medical disorders. In fact, because
it is created through different temperatures and conditions, the smoke that
comes off a cigarette between puffs may even contain more toxins than directly
inhaled smoke.
Experts
agree that there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. Even brief contact
can increase the risk of heart attack and lung cancer. According the the U.S.
Surgeon General, a nonsmoker’s risk of getting heart disease is likely to be increased
by 25 to 30 percent by secondhand smoke, and the risk of developing lung cancer
in nonsmokers is increased by 20 to 30 percent. Endeavoring to smoke in a
separate area from family or ventilating the home are not successful methods at
removing these dangers. The only way to protect yourself and your loved ones to
is keep your environment smoke-free.
Exposure
to secondhand smoke at home or at work increases a nonsmoker’s risk of
developing heart disease by 25 to 30 percent
and
lung cancer by 20 to 30 percent
~ U.S. Surgeon General’s Report 2006
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No if’s, ands, or butts
- It’s never too late to burn that habit!
Good
news! The follow-up 2004 Britsh doctors study showed that there is decreased
risk of dying prematurely when cigarette smoking is stopped… And the most benefit can be gained by
stopping sooner rather than later. If you need help in quitting, you may wish
to visit your general physician for appropriate advice and resources or you can
refer to some of the links below.
Cessation
at age 60, 50, 40, or 30 years gained,
respectively,
about 3, 6, 9, or 10 years of life expectancy.
~ Doll et. al., 2004, p1
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Sources/links
Doll, R., Peto, R., Boreham, J., Sutherland, I. 2004.
Mortality in relation to Smoking: 50 years’ observation on male British
doctors. BMJ 2004;328:1519
Smoking cessation requires self-discipline and willingness to do so. You should have your main goal and it should focus to yourself like being free from such diseases.
ReplyDeleteNew research indicates that exposure to secondhand smoke may also increase the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and ectopic pregnancy in women. http://clhealthnews.com/2014/02/28/passive-smoking-and-pregnancy/
ReplyDelete