HEALTH HAZARDS CAUSED BY SMOKING
A “J” COMPONENT PROJECT REPORT
Submitted for the subject
HUM1021
ETHICS AND VALUES
By
Krishnanunni Nair. B, 16BEC1080
Under the Guidance of
Prof. Punithavelan N
SCHOOL OF ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING
VIT University
CHENNAI. (TN) 600127
INTRODUCTION
For a long time now many people have different views
about smoking in public places. Smokers feel it is their
right to smoke where and when they want. On the other
hand non-smokers feel smokers violate their rights and
endanger their life. Smoking causes heart disease, lung
cancer and other serious illnesses. Cigarette smoking is
the number one cause of lung cancer. A substantial
number of lung cancers that occur in non-smokers can
be attributed to involuntary smoking. While some
people feel that smoking in public places should remain
since it is their right, smoking in public places should
be banned because second-hand smoke will endanger
non-smokers health and it pollutes the environment.
Smokers feel they have had the right to smoke in a
public place for so long that it should not be taken
away. Restaurants and businesses should be allowed to
set their own smoking rules, based on demands of the
customers.
ABSTRACT
Smoking has become very common and fashionable,
especially among young boys. This habit usually begins
at school when boys try to experiment with every new
thing that they can lay their hands on. Despite the
warnings given by doctors about the ill-effects of
smoking, people continue to smoke. Smokers are
addicted to it, and even if they want to, they cannot
refrain from picking up a cigar or cigarette and puffing
away. Some youngsters smoke for the sake of society
and some feel that would make them appear liberated
and broadminded. In the beginning, a teenager may take
a few puffs from his friend's cigarette; then comes a
time when it becomes an indispensable part of his life.
Several puffs lead to the formation of a habit. Soon
smoking begins to affect the health of the smoker. He
becomes a chain-smoker. This smoke is toxic and the
nicotine in the cigarette is known to cause cancer. It is
ironic that despite the fact that every smoker is aware of
the ill effects of smoking, he does not give it up.
What is Smoking?
Smoking is a practice in which a substance is burned
and the resulting smoke breathed in to be tasted and
absorbed into the bloodstream. Smoking is one of the
most common forms of recreational drug use. Tobacco
smoking is the most popular form, being practiced by
over one billion people globally, of whom the majority
are in the developing world. Less common drugs for
smoking include cannabis and opium. Some of the
substances are classified as hard narcotics, like heroin,
but the use of these is very limited as they are usually
not commercially available.
The following are the 3 major components of a cigarette
Nicotine: This is the addictive component of tobacco. It
is absorbed into the blood and affects the brain within
10 seconds. Nicotine also disturbs metabolism and
suppresses appetite.
Tar: Tar itself contains many poisonous substances to
the body. It is a thick, sticky substance, and when
inhaled it sticks to the tiny hairs on the lungs, the cilia.
These normally protect the lungs from dirt and
infection, but when covered in tar they can't do their
job.
Carbon Monoxide: Carbon monoxide is the poisonous
chemical found in car exhaust fumes. It decreases the
amount of oxygen in the blood. Because there's less
oxygen in the blood, it gets thicker and puts a strain on
the heart to pump.
Why do people smoke?
Smokers feel relaxation because tobacco contains
nicotine that is very addictive to a person who smokes.
Nicotine causes changes to your brain chemistry after
prolonged regular use, making your brain cells
essentially believe they need it to survive -- this is quite
comparable to how your brain makes you react for
oxygen, since your brain cells need it to survive. People
smoke because nicotine has become something like a
hormone to them, that their body can't produce on its
own. The limbic system -- the part of the brain mainly
in charge of the self-regulation of emotions, learns to
lean on nicotine to speed up, slow down, wake up, cool
off.
Teens nowadays smoke to look mature and to look like
adults without knowing the health hazards caused by
these substances. Some even start smoking due to peer
pressure. But due to the addictive nature of tobacco, it is
difficult to kick the habit once started. Hence in case of
teens, they continue the habit even when they grow to
adults.
Adults smoke for various other reasons. They may have
a lot of stress and pressures because of economic and
personal problems. They may be unemployed or
working but not making enough money to take care of
themselves and their families. They may be homeless,
or they may be dealing with alcohol or other drug
addictions.
Health Hazards
Disease caused by smoking:-
Lung Cancer
Heart Diseases
High Blood Pressure
Bad Breath
Gum Disease
Depression
Thyroid Disease
Harmful effects on Bones and Joints
Other health effects:-
Smoking can affect bone health.
Smoking affects the health of your teeth and gums
and can cause tooth loss.
Smoking can increase your risk for cataracts
(clouding of the eye’s lens that makes it hard for
you to see).
Smoking is a cause of type 2 diabetes mellitus and
can make it harder to control. The risk of
developing diabetes is 30–40% higher for active
smokers than non-smokers.
Smoking causes general adverse effects on the
body, including inflammation and decreased
immune function.
Smoking is a cause of rheumatoid arthritis.
Methods to cure smoking addiction
Social campaigns and events should be conducted
to spread awareness about the health hazards.
Stricter rules and laws should be introduced.
More number of rehabilitation centers should be set
up.
Being a highly addictive drug it is difficult to kick
the habit. Hence it is important to control the intake
and follow a step by step routine.
Parents should monitor their children from an early
age so as to prevent the habit from ever starting the
habit.
People who want to quit the habit can use
chemicals like nicotine patches in order to resist the
urge to smoke.
One should also keep in mind that smoking affects
not only the one smoking but also others around.
Exposure to the smoke released can cause disease
in small children.