The Causes and Effects of Smoking - Essay Example

Depending on the amount of usage per day, the length of time one has been smoking, and the vulnerability of different individuals, smoking has different health effects (Eysenck, 1980). Some are minor and can be corrected on time but unfortunately, some are fatal and irreversible. The doctors of today are more conversant with the effects of smoking than ever before. Cigarettes and tobaccos have high concentrations of nicotine. They have over 4000 chemicals, which are harmful to one’s body. One of the fatal cases recorded is lung cancer. In fact, over ninety percent of all cases of lung complications are blamed on smoking. Heavy smokers are the most affected and end up contracting chronic cancer, which is difficult to treat, not to mention the medical expenses inherent.

In addition, smokers are more likely to develop laryngeal cancer as compared to nonsmokers (Hanson, et al, 2006). In recent years, cases of heart disease have been on the increase, and according to research; smoking is a major contributor to the defect in question. Similarly, high blood pressure is common among smokers since cigarettes lead to increased heart rate by a good percentage. On the other hand, blood flow to the body's extremities including fingers and toes is reduced greatly, a condition that many people have ignored.

The implications of these conditions may not be felt immediately but they may surface at a later stage, making treatment quite a task (Institute of Medicine, 2010). We cannot talk about smoking effects without mentioning respiratory complications. These account for a large number of deaths every year. Statistics show that most respiratory conditions have been associated with smokers than with non-smokers. Other effects associated with smoking include chronic coughing, impotence among men, shortness of breath, reduced fitness, early wrinkles formation, and loss of appetite, among others (Owing, 2005).

One of the most disturbing issues of smoking is that it affects even non-smokers. Secondhand smoke is detrimental and has the same implications as those of real smokers. Similarly, in pregnant women, cigarette smoke may complicate the growth of the baby in the womb. Stillbirth, premature birth, and low birth weight are very common among pregnant smokers. This means that smoking does not only affect users but it also affects secondhand smokers (Sloan, 2004).

People should not just look at the reputation they are building among their peers, but they should consider the long-term effects associated with smoking. For those who are already smokers, it is never too late to change. Enlightening people about the harmful health effects of smoking would make them see the reason why they ought to quit smoking.