Definition
. Smoking is the inhalation of the smoke of burning tobacco encased
in cigarettes, pipes, and cigars. Casual smoking is the act o
smoking onlyoccasionally, usually in a social situation or to relieve stress. A smoking habit is a physical addiction to tobacco products.Many
health experts nowregard habitual smoking as
psychological
addiction, too, and one with serious health consequences.
Smoking is an incredibly strong
addiction
. Millions of people struggle to quit
each year, and the majority
fail.
The gum, patches and books
But they fail
to provide
the real internal
support needed to follow
the process through.
Health risks
Smoking
causes about 90% of lung
cancers. It also causes cancer in
many other parts of the body, including the:
-mouth, lips, throat, voice box
(larynx) , oesophagus
(the tube between your mouth and stomach), bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas
Smoking damages your heart and your blood
circulation, increasing your risk of developing conditions such as:
peripheral vascular disease (damaged
blood vessels)
cerebrovascular disease (damaged
arteries that supply blood to your brain)
Smoking also damages your lungs, leading to
conditions such as:
chronic bronchitis (infection
of the main airways in the lungs)
emphysema (damage to
the small airways in the lungs)
pneumonia (inflammation
in the lungs)
Smoking can also worsen or prolong the
symptoms of respiratory conditions such asasthma, or respiratory tract infections such
as the common cold.
In men, smoking can cause impotence because it
limits the blood supply to the penis. It can also affect the fertility of
both men and women, making it difficult for you to have children.