Q.10 Describe bad effects of smoking. Or Write two bad effects of smoking

 Introduction 

Smoking is harmful due to the chemicals in cigarettes and smoke.

Number of chemicals in cigarette smoke 

Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 different chemicals, out of which at least 50 are carcinogens and many are poisonous.

Diseases due to smoking 

Smoking not only produces lung cancer but also produces a number of life threatening diseases like:

(a) Cancers in

(i) Kidneys

(ii) Oral cavity

(iii) Larynx

(iv) Breast

(v) Bladder

(vi) Pancreas etc.

(b) Emphysema and other respiratory disorders 

Many chemicals in tobacco smoke damage the air passageway, which leads to emphysema and other respiratory disorders.

Other effects of smoking

(a)Reduction in the oxygen carrying capacity 

It has effects on the circulatory system. The carbon monoxide present in tobacco smoke lessens the oxygen carrying capacity of hemoglobin.

(b) Increase in the production of platelets 

Many other chemicals in smoke increase the production of blood platelets. When platelets are more than the normal numbers, they make the blood viscous and it can lead to arteriosclerosis.

(c) Risk of tuberculosis and pneumonia 

Smokers are at greater risk of developing infections, particularly in the lungs like risk of tuberculosis increases by two to four times, and of pneumonia by four times.

(d) Weakening and staining the teeth 

Smoking is responsible for weakening and staining the teeth. Tooth loss is 2 to 3 times higher in smokers than in non–smokers.

(e) Effect on social life : 

Smoking also affects the social life of a person. Smokers may face social unacceptance because other people may not want to be exposed to other’s smoke.

(f) Increase in the rate of heart diseases and cancer in non–smokers 

Non–smokers who are exposed to second–hand smoke at home or work increase their heart disease risk by 25–30 and their lung cancer risk by 20–30%.