Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and diminishes a persons overall health. Millions of people have health problems caused by smoking. Many people smoke cigarettes but they do not think about the diseases associated with smoking.
Every year, thousands of people around the world die from diseases caused by smoking cigarettes. More than 400,000 deaths in the US are caused by the effects of smoking. These diseases cause slow and painful deaths. It increases the smokers heart rate and elevates the smokers blood pressure. Cigarette smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of low birth weight. If all women quit smoking during pregnancy, about 4,000 new babies will not die every year.
Cigarette smoking not only affects the smokers health but also affects nearby individuals. If parents smoke cigarettes, then it increases a childs chances of middle ear problems, causes coughing and wheezing, and worsens asthma conditions. Men who smoke are more than sevenfold likely to die from lung cancer than non-smokers. Smoking also carries the risk of mouth cancer and tobacco can cause gum diseases, tooth decay and bad breath. Due to heavy smoking, prices of cigarettes will continue to rise in the coming years. It is up to the government to support responsible advertising and public awareness campaigns to enlighten the masses on the many dangers of smoking.
FATIMA BAREE
Karachi
