Hazards of smoking

Facts:

Smoking is conservatively estimated to kill over 35,000 Filipinos each year. 35% of Filipinos (age 18+) smoke tobacco. In 2008, over 81 billion cigarettes were sold in Philippines.

Tobacco contains over 4,000 chemicals, many of which are harmful. These include:

Benzene - solvent used in fuel and chemical manufacture. Formaldehyde - highly poisonous, colorless liquid used to preserve dead bodies. Ammonia - chemical found in cleaning fluids. used in cigarettes to increase the delivery of nicotine

Hydrogen cyanide - poisonous gas used in the manufacture of plastics, dyes, and pesticides. often used as a fumigant to kill rats. Cadmium - extremely poisonous metal found in batteries . Acetone - solvent found in nail polish remover.

Three main components of inhaled smoke:

Nicotine

It is absorbed into the bloodstream and effects the brain within 10 seconds. If you are a regular smoker, when the blood level of nicotine falls, you usually develop withdrawal symptoms such as craving, anxiety, restlessness, headaches, irritability, hunger, difficulty with concentration, or just feeling awful.

Carbon monoxide

a poisonous gas found in car fumes, which reduces the amount of oxygen carried in the blood. Oxygen is vital for the bodys organs to function efficiently. The reduction in oxygen changes the consistency of the blood, making it thicker and putting the heart under increased strain as it pumps blood around the body.

Tar

contains many substances proven to cause cancer. Irritants found in tar damage the lungs causing narrowing of the tubes (bronchioles) and damaging the small hairs (cilia) that protect the lungs from dirt and infection.

Effects of Smoking and the Reasons to Stop:

International studies of millions of people by government, industry, universities, and private research institutions have determined that smoking can cause:

Cancers

Lung cancer Mouth, throat and nose cancer Cancer of the larynx Pancreatic cancer Bladder cancer Kidney cancer Leukemia

Heart and circulatory diseases

Heart attacks and Heart disease Arteriosclerosis - build up of fatty deposits in the blood vessels. Causes loss of elasticity in the artery walls ,which can lead to diseases such as stroke, gangrene and aortic aneurysms. High blood pressure

Respiratory disease and Other illnesses

Asthma Increased frequency of colds, particularly chest colds and bronchitis. Shortness of breath Stained teeth, fingers, and hair Headaches Insomnia

The smoker's body requires more sleep every night. This extra sleep must come from his spare time. Besides needing more sleep, smokers don't sleep as well. Smokers are sick more often, Smoking destroys vitamins, particularly vitamin C and the B's. Lower intelligence has been related to smoking. In fact, smoking is both a cause and an effect of lower intelligence, just as smoking is both a cause and effect of lower income.

What are the benefits of stopping smoking?

The benefits begin straight away. You reduce your risk of getting serious disease no matter what age you give up. However, the sooner you stop, the greater the reduction in your risk

Benefits of stopping smoking include the following:

Breathing improves. Chest infections and colds become less frequent. Reduction in 'smoker's cough'. The smell of stale tobacco goes from your breath, clothes, hair, and face. Foods and drinks taste and smell much better. Finances improve.

How can I stop smoking?

About 2 in 3 smokers want to stop smoking. Some people can give up easily. Willpower and determination are the most important aspects when giving up smoking. However, nicotine is a drug of addiction and many people find giving up a struggle.

KEEP TRYING!

Keep trying. Many ex-smokers did not succeed at first, but they kept trying. The first few days after stopping will probably be the hardest. Show yourself and to the others who you are. Life's too good and too short to waste on that filthy habit.