National Day for the Fight against Tobacco: know what are the damages to health

The habit of smoking cigarettes is one of the most present habits in our society.

In this sense, Tabaco Atlas, published in 2018, estimates that 5.7 trillion tobacco cigarettes were consumed in 2016 alone. However, addiction can be extremely harmful to our health. And that’s why National No Smoking Day aims to bring information on the harms of the practice. With this in mind, in this article you will understand more about the risks of cigarette addiction and the damage to your daily life, which can also affect those around you. Keep reading!

What are the main harms of smoking?

In recent years, according to the Tobacco Manufacturers Association of Brazil (Afubra, 2021), smoking has seen a decline in consumption in many countries. But smoking still kills 443 Brazilians a day. Tobacco consumption acts directly on the individual’s body, causing damage to health. Smoke that travels through the human body can cause various serious diseases and impair the proper functioning of the body. It is estimated that there are about 50 diseases that can be attributed to this action. In this scenario, the smoke is absorbed through combustion. That is, all elements turn to ashes. At that moment the ingredients that are part of the composition of the cigarette are absolved by the smoker. In this way the tobacco leaves, nicotine, among others, are inhaled and enter the respiratory system. The damage to health is manifold and its consumption is seen as the main cause of disease in many areas of the body. We have prepared a list of the main harms of smoking:

• cardiovascular disease;
• hit;
• tumors;
• acute myeloid leukemia;
• asthma;
• respiratory tract infections;
• thrombosis;
• aneurysm.

It must be emphasized that the diseases do not only affect the active smoker, i.e. the one who smokes cigarettes. Passive smokers, which could be your family and friends, are also seriously at risk.

What damage does smoking do to the lungs?

Cigarettes are responsible not only for reaching the lungs, but also for damaging all the mechanisms that make up the respiratory system. The respiratory system suffers from: destroyed alveoli; change in the lining of the bronchi; among others. Nicotine addiction can begin in adolescence and thus the inflammatory process of the body begins. The temperature of the smoke acts on the upper and lower airways. This action can be reflected in the form of a cough, where each roll means further damage to your body. But this feeling of discomfort is initial, the habit of smoking decreases the discomfort and results in more units or packs of cigarettes per day. This aggression through temperature generates free radicals. They could be responsible for oxidizing cells and their structures, causing damage to the individual’s lungs.

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Is there a more harmful age range?

Cigarette consumption is harmful at every stage of life and is cause for concern in every case. However, the consumption of cigarettes by adolescents is alarming. A survey conducted by the National School Health Survey (PeNSE) reported that approximately 1.8 million Brazilian adolescents (ages 12 to 17) have previously smoked cigarettes. Health damage starts from the first puff. They don’t wait 20, 30 or 40 years to damage their respiratory system and their body as a whole.

What are the differences in the impact of the electronic cigarette compared to the traditional one?

E-cigarettes have become a rage among young people all over the world. But what seemed harmless has turned out to have great destructive potential – and it may be greater than traditional cigarettes. These devices generally use the substance propylene glycol to dilute the nicotine. In this scenario, the liquid turns into vapor and is inhaled by the user. This process releases formaldehyde, which can be 5 to 15 times more harmful than traditional cigarettes. This reaction can cause cancer in the user and other serious health complications. The damage is not only concentrated in the respiratory system, but also affects the cardiovascular system. E-cigarettes can cause coughing, expectoration of blood in the mucus, shortness of breath, among others. Its use can lead the smoker to respiratory failure. In some cases, intubation of the individual is necessary and can lead to death. In other words, the electronic cigarette, also known as the Vape, is a device that is no healthier than the common one. In many cases, in fact, it is more harmful to the health of the user.

What are the steps to overcome addiction?

It is important to underline that there is no right formula for everyone, but it is possible to mention some tricks that can be useful for getting out of smoking addiction. Next, we list the steps to start overcoming this problem and have a healthier life.

See addiction as bad

As you have seen, smoking can cause serious harmful effects on your body. It might therefore be interesting to reinforce in your psychology the idea that addiction is a disease and it is possible to fight it.

seek medical help

The help of a healthcare professional is indicated to facilitate the process and offer mechanisms to assist the patient in this endeavor.

Check your abstinence

The withdrawal process is a difficult phase to overcome. It is precisely during these moments that many have relapses and can return to the beginning of treatment. In these cases, many healthcare professionals may recommend nicotine supplements. However, remember to always seek the help of your doctor before opting for solutions like this.

engage in physical activities

The practice of physical activities can mean a redirection to regulate the anxiety of the convalescing smoker. It should be used as a hormone release mechanism.

What are the benefits of quitting smoking?

The benefits of quitting smoking can begin to show within the first 8 hours without the substance. So 8 hours without a cigarette means a normalization of the oxygen present in the blood. Between 12 and 24 hours it is possible to notice a better functioning of the lungs. In 3 weeks breathing improves. In one year it is possible to halve the risk of death from a heart attack. Between 5 and 10 years, the risk of a heart attack is equal to that of a non-smoker. That is, the benefits appear from the first moment, and are reflected in the health of the individual. On National No Smoking Day, take the initiative and kick your addiction with the help of trained professionals.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.