The Dangers of Smoking headache symptoms, bronchitis, thrombosis
and heart disease.
Why you should stop smoking
- Irritant substances- These are responsible
According to the World Health
for immediate coughing resulting in
Organization, smoking will be the
emphysema which creates difficulty in
number one cause of death in the World
breathing.
by 2030. In the United Kingdom, Canada
and United States of America, smoking
Some examples of conditions that
kills more people than drugs, road
accidents, fires, alcohol and Aids
are a result of smoking: The Dangers of
- Hair loss.
combined. Research suggests that
people who start smoking in their teens
- Cataracts. Smoking
- Premature wrinkling of the skin.
and continue for two decades or more
- Hearing loss.
will die 20 to 25 years earlier than non
- Impotence.
smokers.
- Tooth decay.
- Osteoporosis.
What is in cigarettes?
- Stomach ulcers.
Tobacco smoke is a cocktail of over
- Uterine cancer.
4,500 chemicals. When a person
smokes, he or she takes in the smoke - Psoriasis (non contagious skin disease).
of burning tobacco which contain the
following : Effects of passive smoking
-Tar -a mixture of hundreds of chemicals Even if you do not smoke,
that are carcinogenic (cancer causing breathing someone's smoke is
dangerous as well. Problems occur
substances). such as :
- Nicotine - a stimulant drug, used as - Headaches.
pesticides, addictive as heroin and - Nasal discomfort and sneezing.
alcohol. - Cough and sore throat.
- Carbon monoxide as in exhaust fumes. - Nausea and dizziness.
- Naphthalene as in moth balls. - Increased heart rate and blood pressure.
- Acetone as in paint stripper. - Heart disease. Sponsors
- Butane as in lighter fluid. - Cancers of the lung, cervix, breast,
- Arsenic as in ant poisoning. stomach and kidneys. Co-ordination and Production - The Greenhouse
- Ammonia as in toilet cleaner. - Children who breathe second hand smoke
are more likely to get colds, allergies, Marketing Cosultancy
- Phenol as in disinfectant and many more.
Design - Salma Mahomed and Three Eyed Graphics
asthma and middle ear infections which
Why is smoking dangerous? The may lead to deafness.
following are some examples of - Pregnant women exposed to second hand
smoking complications: smoke may have miscarriages, low birth For more information on cancers and cancer
-Tar- the cooling off of the tobacco weight babies or still born babies.
smoke which is brown and sticky, prevention, call the Cancer Association on:
stains fingers and teeth and causes
telephone numbers 707444/, 705522, 707673
mouth, throat, bladder, lung,
oesophagus, larynx cancers.
or email us on: cancer@mweb.co.zw.
- Nicotine- A colourless fluid which causes
or visit our website : www.cancerassociation.co.zw
addiction. It causes stomach and
What can you do about passive - Try to smoke while taking a shower.
smoking? - Get out Of your Old habits, seek new
- Work towards making your home, workplace and activities, volunteer to do charity
community smoke free. Ask smokers not to smoke work, work at yourself to get fit and
around you or your family. Ask visitors not to smoke help a friend to quit smoking.
in your home If you live with smokers, set up a p ace
outside where they can smoke.
Help smokers to quit smoking. Help Other ways of helping one to quit
children to be smart and never smoking:
start smoking Please enquire for detailed information
through your Doctor or pharmacist about :
Nicotine replacement therapy.
Some tips for quitting smoking: The - Use of hyrpnotherapy.
following are some ways that have
Support groups for quitting smoking.
been used to help quitting. You can
develop your own quitting
programme: The benefits of quitting smoking: In an
individual Who has been smoking
Make up your mind to quit and stay
twenty cigarettes a day the following
"Quit." If cigarettes give you a boost,
benefits will be realized: - It takes two
try modest exercise, a brisk walk or
hours of stopping smoking to have no
the gym. Avoid indulging in a high
more nicotine in the blood. - It takes
carbohydrate diet. - Choose an
two days for nicotine by - products to
appropriate time to quit e.g. after
leave the body. Within 6 hours, blood
severe flu and when you have lost
pressure drops, heart rate slows
your taste. Make the day a
down. - After three to 30 days blood
memorable date.
pressure and heart rate become
- Make a list of why you want to quit and what you normal.
dislike about smoking. Make a saving strategy for
money meant for cigarettes. - Shortness of breath is reduced. Within three weeks, lungs
start working better.
- Do not buy cigarettes by the cartons. - DO not carry a Within two months, blood now to the
lighter or matches With you. put away ashtrays and limbs improves. More energy is
create a different use for them such as putting flowers created. - Blood components and
or filling them With walnuts. Keep your hands linings in the lungs become normal.
occupied, such as playing a musical instrument,
knitting or painting. - Brush your teeth regularly. Visit - Teeth become whiter.
your dentist.
- After 12 months, risk of coronary heart disease is
almost halved.
- After five years risk of lung cancer is halved.
"Smoking is dangerous to
you and the people
around you stop today."
