Short notes on the ill effects of tobacco smoking

Short notes on the ill effects of tobacco smoking

Tobacco smoking is one of the oldest evil habits that man has developed since time immemorial. The practice of inhaling vapours of tobacco in the form of cigarettes, beedies or cigars is defined as smoking. Smoking is an all pervading habit that is practised by people of all countries all age groups and all economic strata (both rich and poor).

Besides inhaling the smoke of tobacco, other habits of tobacco use in­clude chewing of tobacco leaves, inhaling the powdered leaf in the form of snuff etc. While smoking and other forms of tobacco use may give a momentary happiness, they also bring different types of diseases affecting the health of man.

Tobacco primarily contains nicotine besides about 300 other chemical com­pounds all known to be harmful for man. Some of these compounds are carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, tar, many irritant substances and at least about 16 dangerous chemical compounds known to induce cancer.

Tobacco is primarily smoked for inhaling nicotine which is supposed to be a stimulatory compound. Researchers have shown that in small quantities nicotine can activate the nervous system and also have a soothing effect for the strained nerves. But pure nicotine is a highly poisonous substance. For instance, pure nicotine present in one cigar can prove fatal if it is directly injected into the blood stream. The following are the effects of nicotine.

1. It stimulates the nervous system. 2. Causes relaxing of muscles. 3. In­duces the release of adrenalin. 4. Increases heart beat and contraction of peripheral blood vessels leading to increased blood pressure. 5. Causes retardation of the growth of the foetus in pregnant women. The following are the diseases that are associated with long term and heavy smoking.

1. Lung cancer:

This is a most serious effect found in people who are long time smokers.

Even passive smokers (persons who are closely associated with smokers i.e., who inhale the smoke released by the smokers) are prone to this dis­ease. Polycyclic hydrocarbons are harmful to lungs, (for details see later in the same chapter)

Chewing tobacco leaves or gutkas or pan masalas mixed with tobacco is known to cause cancer of the mouth.

2. Bronchitis:

This is an inflamation of mucous membrane of throat and bronchial tubes.

3. Emphysema:

Collection of phlegm in the lungs makes breathing diffi­cult and results in the stretching of alveoli and bronchioles. This brings about persistant cough and weakening of the walls of alveoli. Ultimately the surface of the alveoli for gaseous exchange is reduced and more amount of carbon dioxide is retained in the blood.

4. Heart diseases:

Smokers have a high rate of heart diseases because smoking constricts the blood vessels increasing the blood pressure.

5. Though smoking does not cause tuberculosis it weakens the system and helps in the spreading of the disease.

6. Gastric irritation leading to ulcers is known to be aggravated due to smoking.