Cigarettes have several harmful chemical components that are poisonous, cancer causing, and addictive. The main addictive component is nicotine; the cancer-causing chemicals in tobacco smoke include benzene, chromium, butadiene, nitrosamines, acrolein, formaldehyde, arsenic, and tar; and the poisons include hydrogen cyanide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, ammonia, and many more. 

These chemicals enter the blood stream every time a person smokes and travel throughout the body, which enables them to harm organs distant from the mouth and lungs.

Tobacco Addiction

The real deal with tobacco is about addiction. Initially, nicotine gives a smoker a pleasurable experience. Over time, the pleasure may fade, but the user develops an obsession to repeatedly use tobacco.

Smoking slowly poisons the body. The initial effects can include stained teeth and bad breath. The lungs bear the direct brunt and become less efficient. The heart is weakened and can develop erratic rhythms. Fertility problems are also common in smokers. The skin may become pale and develop rashes. Injuries in general may take longer to heal, the frequency of illnesses may increase, and the defenses of the body may be weakened.

Cancers of the lungs and other organs like the stomach, prostate, colon, kidneys, and mouth and oral cavity are all possible consequences of smoking.

Chewing Tobacco vs. Cigarettes

Some people believe that chewing tobacco is less harmful than cigarettes. This is not true. Chewing tobacco can cause bad teeth and receding gums. It also increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, and cancer of the tongue, lips, cheek, and other structures in the mouth. It can even cause cancers to develop in the esophagus (food pipe), stomach, and bladder.

 

There are many immediate and long-term benefits of quitting smoking. Within a few weeks of giving up smoking, a person’s heart rate, blood pressure, and the senses of smell and taste return to normal. The lung function shows dramatic improvement and carbon monoxide (a poison that reduces the oxygen carrying ability of blood) levels in the body begin to clear up leading to better oxygenation of body tissues.

Coughing and wheezing will begin to decrease. The earlier someone quits smoking, the more his or her chance or early death is reduced. The risk of developing cancer may decrease after remaining smoke free for a few years. For people who have already developed a cancer, quitting smoking reduces the risk of dying from the cancer or developing a second cancer.

 

 

 Quitting can be difficult, especially if someone has been smoking for a long time. Some smokers experience withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, tension, and loss of concentration, headaches, sweating, dizziness, sleep disturbances, bizarre dreams, weight gain, increased appetite, and depression. There may be an intense and irresistible urge for nicotine. These symptoms may make it difficult to quit.

Once you have decided to quit, set a date to begin. This can be a birthday or an anniversary to make it an important event. Family and friends should be told so they can help. Withdrawal symptoms should be anticipated and plans should be put in place for when they arise. All cigarettes and other tobacco products should be removed from the house, car, and work place. Talking to a doctor can also provide support and direction.

A change in routine, eating a healthy diet, drinking ample water, and engaging in moderate physical activity can be very helpful when trying to give up smoking. Going for a long walk, exercising, going to a movie, or watching TV are common distractions from cigarettes. 

It is not inevitable that someone will gain weight after quitting smoking. It does happen to some because a person’s appetite tends to improves after ceasing to smoke. Also, food starts to taste better so people actually enjoy eating once again.

Some quitters replace the craving for nicotine with a craving for food. Weight can be kept in check by eating celery or carrot sticks when the desire to eat strikes, drinking plenty of water, exercising regularly, and keeping busy.

Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) includes products like chewing gum, the patch, nasal sprays, inhalers, and lozenges. These deliver a controlled amount of nicotine to help someone overcome withdrawal symptoms. Inhalers and nasal sprays are available by prescription while the others are available over-the-counter.

Smoking needs to be given up totally before resorting to any of these replacement therapies. It is a good idea to discuss these options with your doctor especially if you are taking other prescription medicines or a heavy drinker.