Widespread Literature on the Causes of Smoking - Research Paper Example

?Smoking: Causes and the effects Smoking: Causes and the effects [Institute’s Smoking: Causes and Effects There has been widespread literature on the causes of smoking. In recent decades, smoking has increased, especially in the developing countries, and it has many harmful health effects, which have disastrous consequences. Moreover, the economic tradeoff of smoking is also important, and needs discussion. Finally, the paper attempts to reach a conclusion about the policy recommendations, which can eradicate this social evil from the society. Acknowledgements I would cordially like to thank my professor for teaching me the basic reading, researching and writing skills, which have made me write this essay, which is detailed and well-researched. Contents I.Introduction 7 i.Ingredients in a Cigarette 7 ii.Process of Smoking 8 II.Discussion 9 i.Causes of Smoking 9 ii.Effects of Smoking 10 a)Effects on Health 10 b)Economic Effects of Smoking 12 c)Environmental and Social Effects of Smoking 13 III.Recommendations 14 IV.Conclusion 14 References 16 I. Introduction Action on Smoking and Health (2009) reports that there are around 1.3 billion smokers worldwide. 82 percent live in the low and middle income countries. Smoking accounts for around for one in every five deaths among men, and one for every twenty deaths among women world-wide. Smoking is a serious problem, which endangers a high crux of the population. According to World Health Organization (WHO), the death toll of tobacco will rise to more than eight million by the year 2030, if something is not done about this issue. Smoking is an addiction, which is quite similar to heroin and cocaine (Gilbert, 1995). Cigarettes account for smoking, which are manufactured from dried tobacco. After the cigarette is lit, the tobacco transforms into ash and smoke, which is inhaled through the filter in the cigarette, to throat and lungs. However, it should be understood as to what has made smoking so addictive that people, knowing the health risks cannot stop themselves from smoking (Anderson, 2004) i. Ingredients in a Cigarette Tobacco has an ingredient, which contains nicotine. Nicotine is predominantly acts as a stimulant, which increases the blood pressure and stimulates the central nervous system (CNS). It is the effect of nicotine, which gives the ‘rush’ or ‘high’, commonly associated, with smoking. While nicotine is harmful, especially if consumed in large quantities, it is legal in every country in the globe. Even the additives, which may be added to cigarettes, can be harmful to the health of an individual (Anderson, 2004). ii. Process of Smoking When we are to understand the problems that are caused by smoking, it is necessary to understand the ways it affects the brain and other organs of a human body. When a cigarette is lighted, the tobacco reaches a high temperature, which allows chemical reactions to take place. This leads to the formation of different types of gases, including carbon mono oxide, and tiny droplets, such as tar. These substances are highly dangerous for the body, because they have been reported to create cancer. When the smoke from tobacco reaches our lungs, it sticks to the wall of our lungs, which decreases the lungs’ ability to fight infections. It makes people more vulnerable to flu, bronchitis and colds. It makes it bothersome for oxygen to pass from the lungs into the bloodstream of an individual. Therefore, normal functions are impaired, which leads to functional problems. Smoking also has a killer effect on our bloodstream, because gases such as carbon monoxide reach our bloodstream, which reduces the amount of oxygen present. This makes our heart and lungs work harder, and thus decreasing their functionality in the long run. The brain is another part of the body, which is affected due to smoking. Nicotine travels from lungs to the brain, and it increases our heart rate and blood pressure, thus creating a sensation of pleasure, paving way for the “high”, associated with smoking (Anderson, 2004). Hence, smoking has an impact on bodily functions. It is important to elucidate upon the causes of smoking, because an essay without the causes will remain incomplete. It will help us understand the motivations behind smoking, despite individuals knowing the high risk of smoking. The topic of smoking has been under discussion, under various public forms, from economic and medical point of views. Hence, it is imperative to understand the social and health effects on smoking. Recently, the economics of smoking have also been identified. II. Discussion The paper will enter into a discussion about the various causes of smoking. i. Causes of Smoking The most common reason that contributes towards smoking is the nicotine rush. However, this cause is often identified as a cause, which results in sustained smoking. More deaths are actually caused by smoking than HIV. Smoking, once started rapidly becomes a habit, which is reinforced by inhaling tobacco smoke (Hanson et Al, 2012). The prevalence of smoking is high among teenagers. People tend to start smoking, when they are in their teens. Quite simply put, this occurs because of peer pressure, or because smoking is often regarded as cool or exciting. For many teenagers, it is a desire to be part of the ‘IT’ crowd, or for some it is about challenge and experimenting. Various researches have also proved that advertising has a negative impact on teenagers, because advertising promotes smoking as a habit, which is attractive (Anderson, 2004). Many people see smokers around them, in their family (parents and older siblings), which definitely determines the rate of smoking. Young people are bound to think of smoking as attractive by around 16 times, according to a research. Moreover, media projection is highly prevalent, because celebrities are often seen smoking. Celebrities often act as role model for children (Anderson, 2004). From a psychological perspective, smoking, as a habit is not viewed as a dependency act. It acts to provide sensory gratification, as well. It is a habit, which is reinforced, because of the sensory experiences of smell, taste and throat. Rose (1998) also argued that the smoking reinforcement is quite similar to the reinforcement of food (Gilbert, 1995). The dependency model has become popular in the recent decades, which includes the addictive effects of nicotine. The brain gets used to the sensation, provided by the nicotine, which is why it often needs it repeatedly. When the nicotine craving is not satisfied, people often become irritable and show symptoms, such as anxiety, restlessness and sometimes even depression (Anderson, 2004). Smoking activities are often conditioned, in the sense that smokers feel the need to smoke, during or after the performance of a certain activity. For example, many students smoke before and during their papers, because it helps reduce anxiety, or some people may smoke after a meal. Smoking has also been seen to satisfy certain needs of an individual, because it has complex effects that are both central and peripheral. ii. Effects of Smoking There are multiple factors that determine the level of intensity of the effects that are caused by smoking. These generally include, whether the cigarette had a filter, or the process of tobacco, and the number of cigarettes that are normally consumed, within a day (net doctor.co.uk, n.d). The essay discusses the various effects of smoking, in particular, related to health, economical and social. a) Effects on Health From a health perspective, smoking is said to have caused headaches, nausea, coughing, breathing wheezing and dizziness. This is done, because of repeated smoking, which is caused by an increase in dopamine, which is a chemical in the brain. This increases the feeling of pleasure and reinforces the habit. Smoking is also said to increase allergies and asthma. It leads to increased production of stomach acid, and reduces appetite in an individual. Smoking has also been said to be a cause of premature death. It is also proved, through research that smoking harms nearly every organ of an individual. For women, smoking has been reported to have caused infertility. Because of chemical formation in tobacco, smoking causes cancer, since the chemicals are poisonous. Smoking has also been seen as the cause of many strokes. Even the risk of passive smoking (smoke in the environment) is high, since it leads to 3000 deaths on an individual basis (Smoking Facts info, n.d). Moreover, smoking is also reported to have caused 90% of all lung cancer deaths in men, and around 80% of lung cancer deaths in females. A condition, known as chronic obstructive lung disease is caused by smoking, which leads to 90% of all deaths from this disease. In United States alone, the leading cause of death is coronary heart disease, which is caused mainly by smoking. This is because smoking restricts the flow of oxygen in the bloodstream, and clogs up arteries and vessels. Moreover, smoking has been one of the prime causes of cancers, such acute leukemia, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, cancer of the cervix, and of the esophagus, lung cancer, cancer of the oral cavity (mouth), stomach cancer, cancer of the voice box and throat, and pancreatic cancer. Hence, the harmful effects of smoking on health are disastrous (CDC Government, n.d). This evil in society is also said to cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a name, used for a group of conditions, which make breathing difficult, by blocking the airflow. The conditions include emphysema, which is breathlessness that occurs because of permanent damage in the air sacs, and chronic (long-term) bronchitis, which results in increased coughing, with a lot of mucus. It has been reported that smoking is responsible for 80 percent of the COPD cases. Additionally, the decline in lung function is three times faster in smokers than the usual rate. It is because of the decrease in this function that restlessness occurs. Severe breathing problems can require urgent medical attention, and this often results in death. Apart from these severe conditions, related to organs, smoking also causes a decrease in eye sight, because the smoke damages the blood vessels in the eyes. Smoking can also cause macular degeneration, which results in the loss of eye sight gradually. Smoking also gives a bad appearance, including staining teeth and gums. It has also been observed that smokers take 25 percent more sick days than non-smokers. It also leads to the formation of mouth ulcers, and can lead to a severe ulcer problem. Smoking has also been found to reduce the level of Vitamin A, paving way for a bad appearance for an individual, in the form of wrinkles and pale skin (Netdoctor.co.uk, n.d). b) Economic Effects of Smoking There have been economic effects of smoking in both the developed and developing nations. Of course, the economic effects are in some way linked to the health effects, but smoking also reduces the economic prosperity of the country. The economic costs of smoking have been analyzed in great detail in United States and Canada. One of the significant points, which is discussed includes the cost of healthcare, which is spent on the individuals, who suffer from problems caused by smoking. The money could have been spent on another cause (Sullivan, 1992). Another type of economic cost includes the earnings and wage reductions, which have been caused because of smoke-related illnesses. According to a research in 2003 in United States, people who had smoke-related issues faced a decrease of 2 to 8 percent, compared to non-smokers. Hence, the productivity of the nation decreases, which leads to a decrease in economic growth of an individual (Akee, Edmonds, 2011). Even the individual wealth effects of smoking are enormous. The US expenditure data show that the average US smoker spends over $700 on tobacco products. This represents the money, which could have been spent elsewhere. In other countries, especially developing countries, this could be a bigger problem, because the earnings of an average person are already so low (Zagorsky, 2004). The economic impact of smoking in developing countries is disastrous, according to World Health Organization. Tobacco creates a vicious poverty cycle in developing counties. There is, of course the economic burden of treating smoking-related illnesses, but also the lost of productivity. In third world nations, many individuals spend money on tobacco products, instead of spending on necessities, such as food, education, shelter and healthcare. It has been estimated that in Bangladesh alone, over 10.5 million people could have a good diet, if money spent on tobacco was spent on food instead. In the Minhang district of China, smokers spent around 60% of their personal income on cigarettes (Action on smoking and health, 2009). c) Environmental and Social Effects of Smoking Smoking is also said to have effects on the environment. It contributes towards air pollution, because cigarettes contain 4000 chemicals, which are exhaled into the environment, when smoked. Millions of cigarette butts also contribute to visual pollution, and they are a form of non-biodegradable waste. Individuals may wonder the amount of smoke an individual can exhale per day, but if millions of individual do this every day, this is bound to have an effect on the environment around us. Since smoking occurs in home environments, the air pollution in homes is considerably higher (Livestrong.com, n.d). This has external costs, related to the economic concept, as well, which talks about externalities in an environment, which affect a third-party. Hence, there is a social impact through passive smoking. The cigarette butts also seep into the sewage system, and create water pollution. The butts also leach toxins into the soil, which damages the fertility of the soil. It has also been found that cigarettes and careless smoking are the number one cause of forest and home fires. Forest and home fires have a negative social and environmental impact, and they release pollution into the air every year (Bundles.com, n.d). III. Recommendations In order to combat the effects of smoking, some effective steps have to be taken. World Health Organization (WHO, n.d) recommends that there should be a supportive environment, which should encourage tobacco consumers, when they are trying to quit. Tobacco should have a strict policy, with measures such as taxation and price policies, on the part of the government. There should be smoke-free public places, which will avoid the danger of passive smoking. Moreover, there should be large dissemination of information, especially in developing countries, where little or no information is available about the dangers of smoking. There have been recent bans in certain countries like Australia, Belgium and Bermuda among others, so bans should be implemented on smoking, as well. However, there is a danger of black-market, which may create the problem of unchecked and unfiltered cigarettes, which may be more harmful. Since advertising affects teenagers a lot, there should be advertising restrictions on smoking. On an individual level, people should develop their own quitting plans, once they have realized the harmful effects of smoking. Once people have quit smoking, they should resist cravings, by chewing on something, such as apples, celery and pickles (Hanson et al, 2012). However, the policies should target the root causes of smoking, such as eliminating the chances of smoking from teenagers. The chances of smoking should also be eliminated, by having a smoke ban in work areas and indoor public places. IV. Conclusion If the smoker stops too late, the damage can never be reversed. Hence, smoking is truly a curse in the society, and needs strict regulation. Policies should aim to target the root causes of smoking. Since smoking often occurs as a result of personal grievances and family problems, the policy programs should consider this fact, as well. While in the developed world, there has been a decrease in the amount of smokers, the trend has shown an increase in smoking in developing nations. Smoking is a part of the very influential tobacco industry, and even the industry needs to be controlled, in order for the problem to be completely eradicated from society. Individuals should understand that it is not only a personal choice, it creates problems for others around them, as well. References Google Image Result for http://www.ecs2group.com/images/stop%2520smoking.gif. 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