The Facts Associated with Smoking - Essay Example

Smoking Smoking is a major problem in all parts of the world because of the serious health problems it can cause not only to the smokers, but also to the individuals who forced to breath secondary smoke. No studies has ever proved any benefits associated with smoking; but there are numerous studies which point towards the negative effects of smoking. However, smoking habit is increasing day by day not only among adults, but also among teenagers also. Earlier, males were the prominent community who derived pleasure from smoking whereas at present many females also developed smoking habit. This paper describes three major facts associated with smoking in order to persuade smokers to get rid of their smoking habit. Amina Khan in her article, “Joe Paterno has lung cancer: What are the risks?”, published in Los Angeles Times on November 18, 2011, says the reasons for the lung cvancer caused to former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. Joe Paterno has been diagnosed with a treatable form of lung cancer recently. She has pointed out that Paterno has never been known as a smoker. In her opinion, “The most common risk factor for lung cancer is a history of smoking -- even if a patient quit decades earlier. Its not uncommon for patients to quit and think theyre no longer at risk” (Khan). Brizer (2003) has also mentioned the association of cancer with smoking. “German researchers proved the association of cancer with smoking” (Brizer, p.21). Even though smoking can cause different types of physical diseases such as heart attacks, cancers, cough etc, Lung cancer seems to be the most dangerous disease associated with smoking. It is estimated that tobacco contains more than 4,000 chemicals which may cause different types of diseases to the smoker and the secondary smoke breathers. Ammonia, arsenic, carbon monoxide, and benzene are some of the toxic ingredients in cigarette smoke. Out of these 4000 chemicals, 43 can cause cancer disease. In fact 86% of all deaths caused by smoking is due to lung cancer (Smoking Cessation). According to a study designed to assess the prevalence of smoking at time of lung cancer diagnosis in a surgical patient cohort referred for cardiothoracic surgery, conducted by Mong et al (2011), Seventy-seven percent (482) had a smoking history while 11.3% (71) were current smokers. The length of smoking cessation to cancer diagnosis was Read More