What Effects of Cigarettes Should Everybody Know About?

Both of my parents smoke. My two older siblings have since followed suit. What are the harmful effects of cigarettes? Are there long-term effects of cigarettes that I should be worried about? 

First of all, there are no positive effects of cigarettes, only harmful ones. Most of the effects of cigarettes are physical. There are, however, harmful manifestations on many levels – psychological, economical, logistical, and even professional. Indeed, there are plenty of things to be worried about regarding the effects of cigarettes.

Cigarettes are the leading cause of lung cancer and many other forms of cancer. Smoking can be justly blamed by lung conditions such as emphysema, tuberculosis, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Cigarettes also contribute to the rapid decline of the heart, bringing about conditions such as high blood pressure, arteriosclerosis, and heart disease. On average, a smoker’s life expectancy is decreased by 8.3 years. That’s a decrease of 12 to 14 minutes with every stick.

Cigarettes harm not only the smoker, but also the people around him through secondhand smoke. Family, friends, coworkers, strangers, and even dogs are directly affected and therefore, in danger of the effects of cigarettes. Women who smoke during pregnancy are likely to give birth to unhealthy babies, often several ounces lighter than average with faster pulse rates. It has also been observed that these infants go through withdrawal symptoms brought about by the effects of cigarettes. Secondhand smoke from parents can contribute to the child’s predisposition to ear and lung problems, as well as the worsening of asthma. Teenagers are more than twice as likely to smoke if one or both parents smoke.

In other levels, the effects of cigarettes are somewhat more subtle but are just as detrimental. An average smoker spends about $750 a year on cigarettes alone, plus taxes. That does not include the necessity of lighters, ashtrays, and lighter fluid. Because a smoker has a decreased life expectancy, he loses thousands of dollars in benefits. A smoker can’t shake off common illnesses as easily as non-smokers, and because a smoker is often ill, he misses an average of 7 work days a year, often unpaid, as opposed to the 4 work days missed by non-smokers. Insurance rates are also higher for smokers.

There are also conditions that may seem irrelevant. When analyzed further, however, they are found to be directly connected to the effects of cigarettes. Most smokers are insomniac and those that aren’t don’t sleep very well. The irony of this fact is that a smoker’s body needs more sleep, the lack of which contributes to the rapid decline of a smoker’s health. Smokers are often belligerent and petulant, possibly as a defensive mechanism. A decline in senses, especially that of smell and taste, can be classified as one of the effects of cigarettes. Smoking is also one of the known causes of most vehicular accidents.

The effects of cigarettes are nothing short of alarming. The sad thing is they are often taken for granted. Awareness is definitely the key. The world will indeed be a better place if everyone stopped smoking.