More Than Lung Cancer -
Effects of Smoking on an Individual
“It is rare – if not impossible – to find examples in history that match tobacco’s programmed trail of death and destruction. I use the word programmed carefully. A cigarette is the only consumer product which when used as directed kills its consumers.” – Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, Director-General WHO (1998 – 2003)
Although it seems everyone understands that smoking cigarettes is unhealthy, most have probably never thought about it in quite these terms. At first, this statement may be startling and perhaps unbelievable. But then comes the realization of its’ accuracy. Think of any consumer product – alcohol, even guns. (Alcohol has even been shown to possess health benefits.) When used as directed by their manufacturers, the person using them will not die. Despite the millions of consumer products in existence today, not one of them compares to the extensive damage that cigarettes inflict on their users.
Ingredients
Besides tobacco leaves, cigarettes contain over one-thousand different compounds, including over four-thousand toxic byproducts including carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and trace elements of lead, nickel, and cadium (Van Meurs, ¶ 1). Chocolate is added to mask the bitter taste of the tobacco, and ammonia is put in them to assist the delivery of the all-important nicotine. More than sixty chemicals that are known carcinogens are contained in cigarettes (“Cigarette Smoking”, 2006, ¶ 20). Nicotine is an insecticide – and the substance in cigarettes that creates the addiction. However, it is the tars and carbon monoxide in them that are the main causes of health problem. Although, many cigarette manufacturers imply that lower tar levels are “healthier”, there is no evidence that this improves health risks (“Cigarette Smoking”, 2006, ¶ 21). Nicotine and other additives are absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to every cell in the body. They have been found in measurable amounts in seminal fluid, cervical secretions, eyes, and hair (Meister, et. al., 2003, ¶ 15).
Effects on Physical Health
Cancer
Cancer is probably the most well-known health problem associated with smoking. Smoking accounts for 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States (“Cigarette Smoking”, 2006, ¶ 9). It is safe to say that everyone in this country knows that smoking causes lung cancer. However, many may not know that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths and smoking causes approximately 87% of lung cancer deaths. Unfortunately, it is also one of the most difficult cancers to treat successfully (¶ 10). For smokers, the risk of dying from lung cancer is twenty-two times higher in men and twelve times higher in women (“Health Effects”, 2004, ¶ 2). Smoking can help increase the chances of getting many other types of cancers as well, including bladder, larynx, oral cavity, pharynx (throat), esophagus, pancreas, cervix, kidney, stomach, nasal cavities, liver, lip, uterine, penile, and urinary (¶ 3). It is linked to some colon cancers and certain types of leukemia such as myeloid leukemia. There is even a possible link between smoking and breast cancer (“Secondhand Smoke”, ¶ 7). Some studies show a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer is increased by as much as 30% if she smokes (Laino, ¶ 35).
Other Diseases
In 2000, approximately 8.6 million people suffered from at least one chronic disease as a result of smoking – even after having quit (Meister, 2003, ¶ 19). Smoking increases the risk of developing lupus, Multiple Sclerosis, macular degeneration, diabetes, and thyroid disease. Psoriasis, periodontal disease, and gum disease can be caused by it as well. Postmenopausal women who smoke or used to smoke have a lower bone density than nonsmokers, leading to an increased risk of osteoporosis (“Health Effects”, 2004, ¶ 10). Smoking can also wreak havoc on your cardiovascular system. There is an increased risk of heart disease even if only an “occasional” (less than daily) smoker (Meister, 2003, ¶ 19). Because smoking causes reduced circulation, smokers are ten times more likely to develop peripheral vascular disease, which can cause weakness in the extremities (“Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular”, ¶ 7). The risk of peripheral arterial disease and aortic aneurysm are also increased. It is believed that smoking causes nearly 160,000 deaths every year in the U.S. by way of cardiovascular disease (“Smoking and Secondhand”, ¶ 1). Smokers increase their risk of coronary heart disease by 2 to 4 times (“Health Effects”, 2004, ¶ 5). There are six major risk factors for developing coronary heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes, and, of course, smoking. Any one of these increases the risk, but in combination with smoking, the risks are raised considerably (“Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular”, 2006 ¶ 2).
Respiratory Problems
Cigarette smoking can cause many different respiratory problems – some of which may be seen as just a nuisance – chronic coughing, increased phlegm, and eye, nose and respiratory tract irritation. But, there are far worse difficulties that can occur such as chronic obstructive lung disease – 90% of all deaths of which are attributed to smoking, according to the CDC (2004, ¶ 8). When someone has Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, or COLD, it usually means they have either (or sometimes both) emphysema or chronic bronchitis (“What is Chronic”, 2002, ¶ 3). Smoking also exacerbates existing respiratory problems like asthma and emphysema. According to the American Heart Association, the habit causes over 100,000 respiratory deaths per year (¶ 1). According to Kathleen Meister, M.A., even those who have smoked for as little as five years have caused damaged to their lungs, eyes, throat, heart, digestive organs, urinary tract, bones, joints, and skin (2003, ¶ 19).
Reproductive System
As if these health problems were not enough, smokers attempting to conceive may even have issues. Smoking effects “ovulation and tubal transport and implantation” in women, which leads to decreased fertility, according to Krisa Van Meurs, M.D. (¶ 5). Men are not off the hook here either. Male smokers’ sperm tend to be less mobile. However, cessation of smoking returns sperm motility back to normal levels (¶ 5). Smoking also increases a man’s risk of erectile dysfunction, impotence, and even penile cancer – which, of course, will affect his ability to reproduce as well (¶ 13).
Pregnancy
The two most problematic compounds in cigarettes to a fetus are carbon monoxide and nicotine. The carbon monoxide combines with the hemoglobin to form a new compound – carboxyhemoglobin. Carboxyhemoglobin is unable to carry oxygen; therefore, there can be a lack of oxygen being delivered to the baby – a condition known as fetal hypoxia (Van Meurs, ¶ 2). The nicotine in the cigarettes makes its’ way into the amniotic fluid, the fetus, and breast milk. The levels of nicotine in the amniotic fluid and the baby can reach levels beyond that of the mother’s (¶ 3). Other problems in the pregnancy of a smoker involve the placenta. Placenta Previa causes the placenta to block the cervix. This condition can lead to Placental Abruption (early placental detachment), which causes premature delivery, fetal distress, and the mother’s blood can coagulate or her blood vessels can constrict, thereby damaging her internal organs. (¶ 7) Spontaneous abortion is another condition which is more likely to occur in pregnant smokers. The nicotine causes blood vessel constriction. This, in turn, reduces uterine and placental blood flow, which can lead to spontaneous abortion. Dr. Krisa Van Meurs asserts that, according to studies, among women who endured spontaneous abortions, 34.6% smoked during their pregnancy (¶ 6). Mortality rates of fetuses and newborns are 33% higher among smokers as well (¶ 12). The birth weight of babies born to smoking mothers is 5 ½ pounds – about ½ pound less than non-smoking mothers (¶ 10). Women who smoked while pregnant put their children at risk even after they make it through gestation. These children are at an increased risk for all cancers as well as acute lymphocytic leukemias and lymphoma (¶ 15).
Miscellaneous Physical Effects
The physical effects of smoking are extensive. The short-term effects of inhaling just one puff of a cigarette are increased blood pressure and heart rate. Smokers’ blood is less oxygen-rich. This causes the blood vessels to become sticky. Atherosclerosis (fatty buildup in arteries) is another problem. According to the CDC, smoking doubles the risk of stroke (“Health Effects”, ¶ 6). HDL (good cholesterol) levels are decreased, too. Lighting up increases the risk and severity of rheumatoid arthritis and can cause cataracts, ulcers, and hearing loss. Acid reflux is 70% more likely in heavy smokers (those who have smoked more than 20 years) (Laino, ¶ 30). Twenty-four percent of smokers snore heavily (¶ 28). Smokers are more susceptible to the flu and pneumonia – and more severe symptoms of both. Although weight gain is often a concern for those who want to quit (especially women), the average weight gain of a former smoker is only five pounds (“Cigarette Smoking”, ¶ 26).
Effects on Mental Health
Psychological Dependency
Psychological addiction is the most problematic aspect of a smoker’s dependency. The nicotine in a cigarette reaches the brain within 10 seconds after the first inhale. Once there, it triggers the brain to release noradrenaline and dopamine – both stimulants (“Smoking and Mental”, 2004, ¶ 1). Dopamine, in particular, plays a large part a smoker’s dependency. Dopamine creates pleasurable feelings. Many smokers say that smoking cigarettes helps them to relieve stress and anxiety – but does it really? According to studies, smokers generally have more stress in their lives than non-smokers to begin with. Smokers end up needing more and more nicotine (read: dopamine) in order to feel ‘normal’. They feel anxious and stressed until they are able to feed that craving. Once they light up, their “stress” is relieved, but it is really only the stress from not being able to rid themselves of their craving (¶ 2). They use cigarettes so often to relieve their stress that they begin to think that it is the only way they can (“The Benefits”, ¶ 2).
Disorders
Some mental disorders have been linked to smoking, including anxiety, agoraphobia, and panic disorder. One’s risk of major depression is increased by smoking, as are depressive symptoms and risk of attacks (“Smoking and Mental”, 2004, ¶ 4). As one might expect, it is much more difficult for those suffering with depression to quit smoking. When people with depression stop smoking, they actually go deeper into depression. In addition, 37% of them could only quit for one week, while 56% of people without depression could do so (¶ 6). People with schizophrenia have an extremely high rate of smoking – 88% versus only 33% of non-schizophrenics. However, the reason for the high prevalence may be because the release of dopamine helps to relieve schizophrenic symptoms (¶ 9).
Diseases
There is controversy about the effects of smoking on both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s Disease. The studies are inconclusive in regards to Alzheimer’s. Some seem to show that nicotine actually helps protect the brain from further damage, while others show the opposite effect (“Smoking and Mental”, 2004, ¶ 10). The latter seems to show that smoking speeds up mental decline in patients with Alzheimer’s (Laino, ¶ 3). Studies on the effect smoking has on Parkinson’s seem conclusive, however. The loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brains is what causes Parkinson’s symptoms. Smoking helps to restore PD patients’ dopamine levels. However, the evidence rate is only 1% – 2% (“Smoking and Mental”, 2004, ¶ 15). These benefits hardly outweigh the risks associated with smoking.
Mental Functioning
The rate of brain decline in smokers is five times higher than that of non-smokers (“Smoking Causes”, 2004, ¶ 1). A study published in Neurology Magazine found that when smokers quit, their rate of decline slowed (¶ 2). Being an alcoholic as well as a smoker is shown to have an effect on memory, problem solving, and IQ. According to researchers, “the impact of heavy lifetime smoking history was greater than the effect of lifetime drinking history” (“Long Term”, ¶ 19). European researchers performed Mini-Mental State tests – designed to determine the cognitive functioning of people over the age of 65 – on both current smokers and those who had never smoked. The rate of decline of those who never smoked was .03 points per year. The smokers’ rate of decline was .16 points per year (“Smoking Causes”, 2004, ¶ 4-5). (Researchers did take into account participants’ family history of dementia and it had no effect on their rates of decline.) The mental abilities of 465 people were tested at 11 years old in 1947 and then again at age 64 in 2002. The smokers performed worse than the non-smokers even after factors such as childhood IQ, education, occupation, and alcohol consumption were taken into consideration (“Smoking is Bad”, 2004, ¶ 4 – 8).
Effects on Finances
Besides the more than $167 billion spent annually on health related issues in this country, the individual costs are extensive as well (“Tobacco-Related”, ¶ 17). The cost of cigarettes alone, at an average of $4/pack, comes to about $30/week, $120/month, or $1,600 annually. A forty-year-old who quits and puts the money he would normally spend on cigarettes into a 401K, earning 9% interest per year, would have $250,000 by age 70 (Smith, 2005, ¶ 6). The house of a smoker can require all sorts of extra costs in order to get rid of the odor in – all new paint and/or wall treatments, professional drapery and carpet cleaning, etc. Priming and painting of an average-sized living room, dining room, and two bedrooms can cost around $2,100. The average home has about 1,000 square feet of carpet. At $.28 per square foot ($280) and $55 to clean a couch and $25 for a chair, the costs can add up quickly (¶ 12). In addition to the cigarette smell, messy ashes, and burns in the upholstery, there are extra costs associated with trying to sell or trade in a smoker’s car. It costs about $150 for a cleaning with an extractor (to remove the smoke smell). Dealerships can take $1,000 on up off the price of a trade-in of vehicles like vans, SUVs, and sport cars (¶ 8). Not surprisingly, both health and life insurance rates are higher for smokers, too. A 20-year, $500,000 term life insurance policy for a healthy 44-year-old male is $1,115 per year, while the same policy for a 44-year-old male smoker goes up to a whopping $4,495 per year (¶ 14). Health insurance rates, though not as big of a hit, increases about $200 per year (¶ 15). Smokers can also see a minimum of a 10% increase on homeowners insurance (¶ 24). Smokers’ appearances suffer and the cost of trying to repair the damage adds up fast: bad breath – $50/year on gum and/or mints, yellow teeth – $600 for professional teeth whitening, smelly clothes – dry cleaning costs.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is just as bad for one’s health as the smoke that the smoker inhales directly from the cigarette. There are at least 250 chemicals in secondhand smoke that are known to be toxic or carcinogenic (“Secondhand Smoke”, 2006, ¶ 2). Approximately 3,000 non-smokers die of lung cancer each year due to secondhand smoke (“Tobacco Related”, ¶ 12). Breathing it in increases risk of lung cancer by 20% to 30% and heart disease by 25% to 30% (“Secondhand Smoke”, 2006, ¶ 4). An estimated 46,000 non-smokers die annually because they lived with smokers (“Secondhand Smoke”, ¶ 5). In addition to the thousands of adults secondhand smoke effects each year, the children of smokers are at a detriment as well. Babies of smoking mothers are at an increased risk of SIDS and colic. An estimated 150,000 to 300,000 children younger than 18 months of age acquire bronchitis and pneumonia due to secondhand smoke, resulting in 7,500 to 15,000 hospitalizations (“Secondhand Smoke”, 2006, ¶ 12). Approximately 25% of children between the ages of 3 and 11 years of age live with at least one smoker (¶ 10). These children are at an increased risk for colds, bronchitis, acute respiratory infections, ear problems (including infections), slowed lung growth, and more frequent and severe asthma attacks.
Statistics
National polls indicate that almost 90% of Americans are aware smoking is detrimental to their health (Meister, 2003, ¶ 9). Yet, smoking is still attributed to more than 440,000 (1 out of 5) of the more than 2.4 million annual deaths in the U.S. (“Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular”, ¶ 1). Obviously, many people are either still not “getting it” or are just too addicted to quit. More deaths are caused by tobacco use than from HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides, and murders combined (“Health Effects”, 2004, ¶ 1). The most recent statistics available, from 2004, show that there are an estimated 44.5 million adult smokers in the U.S. (20.9% of adults) (“Cigarette Smoking”, 2006, ¶ 4). There are 22.3% of high school students and 8.1% of middle school students who smoke as well (¶ 6). The CDC says that teens who smoke are three times more likely to use alcohol, eight times more likely to use marijuana, and twenty-two times more likely to use cocaine (¶ 11). On a global level, tobacco use kills 4 million people each year (11,000 a day) (Meister, 2003, ¶ 6). It is believed that smoking will cause the deaths of over 500 million people alive in the world today (¶ 6). It is predicted that by the year 2020, tobacco use will be the cause of over 12% of deaths globally (¶ 6). Ten to thirty-seven percent of ex-smokers will die of smoking-related causes, while those who continue to smoke are 50% more likely (¶ 17).
It is not hard to understand why smoking is “the leading preventable cause of disease and deaths in the U.S.”, according to the Surgeon General (“Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular”, ¶ 2). The smoking of cigarettes has adverse effects on nearly every part of the body (Meister, 2003, ¶ 12). There are two issues preventing the elimination of smoking as a whole. For one, most people do not have any idea just how much smoking can affect them – they do not understand how deep and how far it really goes. And two, it is extremely hard to get people who already smoke to quit; the habit is very difficult for most to break. Education and prevention seem to be the keys to saving people from the unnecessary havoc cigarettes have on their bodies, minds, wallets, and overall livelihood.
