The dangers of cigarette smoke for health certainly do not need to be doubted. This danger arises because cigarette smoke contains many toxic substances that are harmful to the health of the body. Not only active smokers, the dangers of cigarette smoke also lurk people who are exposed to cigarette smoke.
Cigarette smoke contains a variety of harmful chemicals and some of them can cause health problems. Therefore, it is important to recognize the dangers and the preventive steps that can be taken.
Dangerous Content of Cigarette Smoke
Cigarette smoke contains about 7000 hazardous chemicals and potentially harmful to the health of the body, such as carbon monoxide, benzene, and ammonia.
In addition to various harmful chemicals, cigarette smoke also contains tar. Tar is a chemical that is only produced during the combustion process. This chemical is known to be very dangerous for health because it has carcinogenic properties, which can trigger the growth of cancer cells in the body.
In cigarette smoke also contains nicotine, which is an organic chemical that can cause addiction or addiction effects. However, nicotine is not the main cause of smoking-related illnesses.
On the other hand, tar and various harmful chemicals mentioned above are the ones that cause these diseases.
Along with technological innovations and developments, several alternative tobacco products are currently available, such as heated tobacco products and tobacco products vape. Unlike cigarettes, alternative tobacco products do not go through a combustion process so they do not produce smoke but are aerosols.
Because it does not go through the combustion process, several independent studies have found that aerosols produced by alternative tobacco products have lower levels of chemicals than cigarette smoke. Therefore, alternative tobacco products have a much lower risk than cigarettes.
Dangers of Cigarette Smoke for Health
The dangers of cigarette smoke are not only felt by active smokers, but also those around smokers who accidentally inhale cigarette smoke, especially children and pregnant women. These people are referred to as passive smokers.
There are several dangers of cigarette smoke for health, both for active smokers and passive smokers, including cardiovascular disease, lung disorders, cancer, and other health problems, ranging from dental and oral health problems, weakened immunity, fertility problems, to problems with smoking. on the bones.
Not only adults, exposure to cigarette smoke in pregnant women is also known to have a high risk of causing complications, such as miscarriage, premature birth, or babies born with low birth weight.
Meanwhile, in children, the dangers of cigarette smoke can increase the risk of children developing asthma, allergies, bronchitis, pneumonia, to developmental disorders.
To prevent or at least reduce the risk of the dangers of cigarette smoke, not a few smokers try to quit smoking. according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, the success rate for quitting smoking increased from 6.3% in 2009 to 7.5% in 2018.
On the other hand, the number of vape users during the period 2017–2018 increased from 2.8% to 3.2% and users of smokeless/steamless tobacco products also increased from 2.1% to 2.4%. This number shows that awareness of the dangers of smoking is increasing.
Various Ways to Quit Smoking
Quitting smoking is the best option for smokers who want to reduce health risks. Although it is not something easy, it does not mean it is impossible to do.
To stop smoking, there are various ways that you can apply in your daily life, including:
- Make a strong determination as a reason for you to quit smoking. For example, the determination to improve the quality of life in order to avoid disease.
- Try to keep all cigarette-related objects out of your reach, such as an ashtray or lighter.
- Begin to limit or even avoid gathering in smoking areas.
- When the urge to smoke arises, try to distract or occupy yourself with other activities, such as playing games or exercise.
- Ask for support from family and friends. If necessary, ask a psychologist for help to stop smoking.
If you have tried various methods but still find it difficult and still want to smoke, you can consider using alternative tobacco products, such as heated tobacco products, vaping, nicotine pouches, nicotine patches, and so on. nicotine gum.
Although not completely risk-free, alternative tobacco products are considered to have a much lower risk than cigarettes, so they can be an alternative for those of you who want to reduce the risk of smoking.
Well, that’s a variety of information about the dangers of cigarette smoke that you need to know. Although quitting smoking is not an easy thing to do, but you can do it gradually by applying the various ways above to reduce the dangers.
If you experience symptoms of certain diseases that are suspected to be caused by cigarette smoke, such as shortness of breath, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment and according to your condition.
