Dangers Of Smoking

QUESTION: What are the dangers of smoking?

ANSWER:

Smoking is hazardous and the dangers of smoking are serious. A smoker inhales a substance containing 43 cancer-causing (carcinogenic) compounds besides four hundred other toxins including nicotine and tar. Nicotine leads to a smoking addiction. Tar clogs the lungs and inhibits the body’s capacity to breathe; it causes lung and throat cancer, heart disease, emphysema, bronchial and lung disorders.

Through passive smoking, even non-smokers (particularly children) are at risk of getting these illnesses. A pregnant woman who smokes increases the chance of her baby dying from SIDS, being underweight, and having behavioral problems. A recent report has shown that smoking tobacco and nicotine is the world’s leading cause of death and disability -- more than HIV, AIDS, or famine. The report also estimates that smoking-related illnesses cause 30 million deaths per year.

The dangers of smoking are evident. Why risk the perils to yourself and your loved ones in order to satisfy a habit? While quitting is far from easy, many products can help.