Nowadays, one of the most common and burning issue which is the leading cause of death is smoking. According to WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO), around 8 million people worldwide die each year due to smoking. Smoking is more common in young generation and once they start using tobacco, they are more likely to get addicted. The major causes of smoking can be peer pressure, stress relief or many other social situations. Tobacco smoke contains over 4000 different chemicals (e.g. nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide etc.) out of which 50 are carcinogens and many of them are poisonous.

EFFECTS ON HEALTH

It is a misconception that lung cancer is the only effect of tobacco smoke. In fact, smoking effects a person from head to toe. Smoking is a cause of many life threating diseases, For instance, cancer in bladder, larynx, oral cavity, breast, kidneys etc. smoking is a cause of many other disorders some of which are listed below

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS:

Due to number of chemicals in tobacco smoke, air passageway can be damaged causing many respiratory disorders like emphysema and pneumonia

EFFECT ON CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

The presence of carbon monoxide in tobacco smoke causes the decrease in the hemoglobin’s ability to carry oxygen

INCREASED PRODUCTION OF PLATELETS

The chemicals in tobacco are the cause of increased production of platelets due to which the blood becomes viscous leading to arteriosclerosis.

OTHER DISORDERS

· Risk of tuberculosis in smokers is 2 to 4 times and pneumonia by 4 times in smokers than in the nonsmokers.
· Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 25-30% increased risk of heart disease and a 20-30% increased risk of lung cancer.
· Tooth loss is 2 to 3 times higher in smokers than in nonsmokers.

EFFECT ON SOCIAL LIFE:

Health effects of smoking are already discussed above but besides these effects, smokers can also face problems in their social life like social unacceptance because people may not want to be exposed to other people’s smoke. Breathing in other people’s smoke is termed as passive smoking. Burning end of cigarette is more dangerous than the filter end.

PREVENTION:

· In order to prevent the young generation from smoking, the government should take measures to stop tobacco advertising.
· Individually, we can do our part to raise awareness about the negative impacts of smoking on a person’s mental and physical health and moreover, on the social life
· Find for ways to improve your mood other than smoking.