HEALTH EFFECTS
HEALTH EFFECTS
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ABOUT CIGARETTES
Cigarettes are made of tobacco, added chemicals such as ammonia, menthol and nicotine, a filter and paper wrapping. When burned, people are exposed to thousands of chemicals of which many cause cancer.[1]
To hide the harsh taste of smoking, menthol is added, which is a substance that has a mint flavor. However, menthol makes it easier for young people to start smoking.[2]
Smoking has a big effect on the body that can result in diseases and health complications, such as heart disease, health conditions associated with the blood vessels, diabetes, and lung cancer. Here are ways smoking affects each condition [3,4,5] :
Smoking has a big effect on the body that can result in diseases and health complications, such as heart disease, health conditions associated with the blood vessels, diabetes, and lung cancer. Here are ways smoking affects each condition [3,4,5] :
Heart. While smoking cigarettes, chemicals are mixed in your blood system, which are distributed throughout the body. The chemicals can cause your blood vessels to be swollen and become inflamed, which then blocks the flow of blood and oxygen from your heart to your body. This buildup and narrowing of your arteries is a disease called atherosclerosis.
Chemicals in the tobacco smoke can cause the blood to become thick and form clots inside the blood vessels. This is called coronary heart disease, which can lead to a heart attack or death.
Blood vessels. Smoking can also lead to high blood pressure or a condition called hypertension. Hypertension can lead to a stroke or a loss of brain function when blood flow cannot go to the brain.
Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD, where the blood vessels become narrow and the flow of blood to the arms, legs, hands and feet is reduced. These areas become deprived of needed oxygen.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm where a bulge is formed in the aorta or the main artery or in the blood vessel in the abdomen that brings blood through the body. Female smokers have a higher risk of dying from this condition than male smokers.
Diabetes. There is an increased risk for Type 2 Diabetes with smoking cigarettes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and the FDA, people who smoke are 30-40% more likely to have diabetes. Nicotine and the chemicals, found in tobacco products, raises the body's blood sugar, damage cellular activity and cause inflammation. As a result, the body has a harder time to regulate blood sugar levels. Smoking among individuals with diabetes makes it harder for them to manage the disease as more insulin is required.
Lung Cancer. Lung cancer involves growth of cells along the walls lining the lungs. There are two types of lung cancer - small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer.
Smoking is a major risk factor. About 90% of men and 80% of women who use tobacco are likely to have lung cancer.
If you want to quit or reduce smoking, there are resources and services to help you
SECONDHAND SMOKING & ITS EFFECTS
Secondhand smoke is the smoke that come from burning of tobacco products and exposure is when people breathe the smoke that comes from others who are smoking or burning tobacco such as cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, and pipes.[6] Secondhand smoke is harmful at the onset of exposure and people are likely to get exposed to secondhand smoke includes workplaces, public places, and homes.[7]
When breathing secondhand smoke, a person is inhaling thousands of harmful chemicals, such as benzene and ammonia, of which 70 chemicals can cause cancer. Secondhand smoke can cause serious health conditions such as heart disease, stroke and lung cancer among adults who do not smoke. Among children and infants, secondhand smoke increases their risk for health conditions such as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), acute respiratory infections, and middle ear disease.[6] For pregnant women, exposure to secondhand smoke can result in newborns with low birth weight and increased risk for health complications.[8]
Protecting you and your family about secondhand smoking[9]
E-CIGARETTES & VAPING[10]
E-cigarettes or vapes, are devices that are operated by a battery and heats a liquid forming a vapor that is inhaled by the user or any person exposed to the vapor. E-cigarettes come in various shapes and sizes and can be disposable or refillable.
The vapor or aerosol can contain nicotine, cancer causing chemicals, ultrafine particles, heavy metals such as nickel or lead, volatile organic compounds, and flavors such as fruit, candy, menthol, and mint. The flavors are known to appeal and attract young people to use e-cigarettes.
HARMS OF E-CIGARETTES & VAPING[11]
The vapor or aerosol can contain nicotine, cancer causing chemicals, ultrafine particles, heavy metals such as nickel or lead, and volatile organic compounds. Some of these ingredients can cause lung disease. Flavors such as fruit, candy, menthol, and mint to appeal and attract young people to use e-cigarettes. Since most e-cigarettes contain nicotine, this may increase risk for addiction.
Nicotine is a known addictive ingredient in most e-cigarettes. The substance is toxic to developing fetuses for pregnant individuals, harmful to brain development, and poisonous if the liquid is swallowed and absorbed through the skin and eyes.
Addiction to nicotine can also harm mental health and a source of stress. Although more research is needed, youth vaping and smoking are associated with depression and other mental health symptoms.
If you want to quit or help others quit vaping, there are resources and help you
REFERENCES
REFERENCES
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2017). How a Cigarette is engineered. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/products-ingredients-components/how-cigarette-engineered.
[2] NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. (2022). The truth about menthol tobacco products. Available at: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/smoke/menthol-tobacco-products-factsheet.pdf.
[3] Centers for Disease Control. Health effects of cigarettes: cardiovascular disease. Smoking and Tobacco Use section. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/cigarettes-and-cardiovascular-disease.html.
[4] John Hopkins Medicine. Smoking and cardiovascular disease. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/smoking-and-cardiovascular-disease.
[5] U.S Food and Drug Administration. (2021). How smoking affects heart health. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/tobacco-products/health-effects-tobacco-use/how-smoking-affects-heart-health.
[6] Centers for Disease Control. About secondhand smoke. Smoking and Tobacco Use section. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/index.html.
[7] National Cancer Institute. Secondhand smoke and cancer. Available at: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/second-hand-smoke-fact-sheet.
[8] Centers for Disease Control. Health Problems Caused by secondhand smoke. Smoking and Tobacco Use section. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/health.html.
[9] Centers for Disease Control. Preventing exposure to secondhand smoke in the home. Smoking and Tobacco Use section. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/home.html.
[10] Centers for Disease Control. About E-Cigarettes (Vapes). Smoking and Tobacco Use section. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/about.html.
[11] Centers for Disease Control. Health effects of vaping. Smoking and Tobacco Use section. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html.
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