Cigarette Smoking Is Deadly
Cigarette smoking is a hard habit to break. It is also the leading cause
of death from heart attacks and other diseases. About 1,000 Americans die
each day from diseases caused by cigarette smoking. They could have prevented
Cigarette smoke contains nicotine, tar and other poisons. Nicotine is
a powerful drug. People become addicted to it. Cigarettes become a habit.
The nicotine in each cigarette causes the body to change. It causes
Cigarette smoke contains almost 4,000 chemicals. Among them are small amounts
of DDT, arsenic and formaldehyde. Almost 90 percent of these poisons stay
in your lungs after smoking a cigarette. Smokers have twice the death rate
as nonsmoker. They die of lung cancer and heart attacks.
- the heart to beat faster
- the blood vessels to narrow
- the flow of blood to slow down
- the blood pressure to increase and
- the body temperature to drop a little, especially in the fingers
Many older people began smoking cigarettes before the dangers were well
known. Cigarette ads once ran on TV and radio. TV and the movies made
smoking look glamorous. No one talked about the dangers. Today we know
that cigarette smoking is deadly.
The tar, nicotine and poisons in cigarette smoke can weaken the heart
muscles. It also causes injury to the walls of veins and arteries. When
these walls become damaged, your body will try to repair them. Cholesterol
collects along the weakened area. Over time, more builds up and then there
is less room for blood to flow. They call this disease atheriosclerosis
or "hardening of the arteries." A blood clot may form. If a blood clot
plugs an artery (coronary) in your heart, you will have a heart attack.
Fifty percent of heart patients die of their first heart attack. Breaking
the smoking habit is hard to do. Quitting can save your life. Quitting
is possible even if you have been smoking for 40 years or more.
Once you stop smoking cigarettes, your risk of lung cancer and heart
disease will rapidly drop. If you have tried to stop and failed, get help.
Programs in your city can help you stop smoking. Support groups, nicotine
gums and nicotine patches can also help. The most important step toward
a longer life is to stop smoking. Your goal should not only be to live
a long life. It should be to live a long and healthy life.
For support groups, clinics or a Stop Smoking Guide, contact the American
Cancer Society. They have a program called Smart Move at 1-800-227-2345.
They have brochures on getting ready to stop smoking, developing a plan
and staying clean. Why not call them today?
Prepared by Drusilla
Banks, Extension Educator, Nutrition and Wellness.
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