The Economic Impact of Obesity - Essay Example

Effects of Smoking Smoking is inhalation of harmful gases, smoke and other toxic materials, which are, in the best of times not inhaled or taken in by an individual. Smoking is the mixture of these poisonous yet soothing (for the body) gases and smoke that are inhaled through the breath. Vapors on the other hand also form a part of these mixtures at times, which adds to the poison effect of smoking. Thus, speaking from a viewpoint that is not very close to the habit of taking in smoke, this is a hazardous and potentially dangerous inclination. It might give rise to cancer, certain types of ulcers, throat and nasal problems as well as a host of other illnesses. From an argumentative standpoint, smoking is a habit which is nothing more than providing soothing effect to the body for a certain amount of time, but if see from a different angle altogether, its galvanizing aspect is cut short when people are made aware to the medical predicaments that lie behind this menace. Research by Thivierge has shown that not only this smoke is taken in by the people who have a liking for this habit but also accidentally its victims are those individuals as well who do not have any direct contact or inclination with it whatsoever. These people are the “passive smokers” who are more affected than the ones actually smoking – a real paranoia for the commoner and for me as well when I found this out. Firefighters and similar workmen involved in structural fires are also the direct victims of taking in smoke, which is so very baneful and toxic for them. They might not only inspire this smoke into their bodies but also receive skin burns and certain other kinds of serious damages to their body parts. Smoke inhalation, of late, has really contributed a lot in the total number of deaths related with fire-related circumstances. It should be noted that not only the patient or the victim of smoke is at a loss from his body deprivation point of view but also his chances of suffering an injury instantaneously are quite viable. As debated before, many kinds of ailments might creep up with the passage of time circumscribing diseases such as cancer, lung-related problems and throat malignancies to name a few. Asphyxiation is also another kind of malignant illness, which leads to shortness of breath and eventual change of skin color to blue-gray or cherry red. Consciousness of the patient can be seriously affected at times whereby if proper measures are not chalked out, he/she might even die within a few moments. Apart from these problems that can occur from time to time in a smoke-affected patient, he might also suffer tissue-related injuries as well as low levels of oxygen within the body. The latter one is quite visual when a blood test is conducted of the patient, which affects the overall makeup of hemoglobin within the body. Preventing structural fires best prevents smoke inhalation. This includes inspection of wiring, safe use and storage of flammable liquids, and maintenance of clean, well-ventilated chimneys, wood stoves, as well as presence of space heaters. It must be made sure that properly placed and working smoke detectors are in combination with rapid evacuation plans that will ultimately minimize a persons exposure to smoke in the event of a fire or any other fire-related mishap. The rate of smoking among adults as well as young ones has really taken a hike in the last few years with a consistent increase in the decade of 1990s. This goes to show that people are getting more and more hooked on to this menace which is not only harmful for them, both in the short term as well as in their coming life times but also for the individuals who are around them. These “other” people are in effect the real passive smokers, who are at a great loss due to another’s intimidation and inclination. The question, which arises here, is what makes people stick around with the notions of continuing smoking when they very well know the perils attached with it. Much research has been done in this pretext. Researchers have also found out from their argumentation that there is some mystery surrounding this whole concept. People are just not ready to give up smoking for the sake of it. They demand solid proof, thereby negating the already pre-set harmful and hazardous effects of smoking, known to all and sundry. Even when people are made aware of the same, they have certain reservations in giving up this practice. They prefer to take it slowly (by smoking a certain brand that has less amounts of nicotine in it or cutting down on the number of daily intakes of cigarettes) rather than completely abandoning and making their life a smoke-free zone. Investigations have even estimated that people cannot curb their instincts when an urge arises in their body to lit up a cigarette and start smoking. Keeping away requires a serious and conscientious effort on part of the conscience as well as the heart, but all said and done, the bottom line draws up in the principle that all is not that easy when it comes to calling it quits. Sometimes, there are many other reasons why people want to stick to their “age-old” beliefs attached with inhaling smoke and thereby transferring toxic and poisonous gases as well as a host of other unwanted chemicals in their body. Peer smoking has been found out as one of the mainstays in keeping up to the smoking habit. People who are discouraged to smoke find solace when they see their near and dear ones doing the same, thus allowing themselves just about any rationale to follow upon and continue with the smoking loom. Certain discussions have also been concluded on the fact that parents generally do not have any idea on how to combat smoking so that their wards can keep off this habit from themselves. They (parents) find certain ways in which their young ones do not readily catch up on the already present bandwagon of adopting a cigarette to relieve their tensions and thus allowing just about every harmful drug into their body with it. Certain studies have further elaborated the fact that the parents who are in strict opposition on the adoption of nicotine (cigarettes) within their child’s habits are quite successful in keeping away this peril from their wards. Adolescents who perceive that their parents would strongly disapprove of smoking are significantly less likely to smoke, thus clearly proving our hypothesis to the highest level. In the end, smoking affects one’s health considerably and is therefore advised by doctors and practitioners to stay away from at all age levels. For chain smokers, it is better counseled to take some assistance from their doctors or their loved ones who can somehow or the other, forbid them from continuing with the smoking routine. As discussed before, smoking can lead to different kinds of cancer, both in the throat as well as in the respiratory organs like the larynx and the lungs. This is a very dangerous ailment, one, which can easily force a patient into death, if proper care is not taken. Other serious problems, which can occur with the intake of smoke and in reality nicotine in the body, from time to time entail ulcers, certain types of cancer and lung-related predicaments as well as a number of other injuries, most common and threatening of which is the tissue breakage within the body. Bibliography Saunders, Smoking Inhibits The Beneficial Effects Of HRT. (Hormone Replacement Therapy), 2001 Word Count: 1,260 Read More