If you are not thinking about quitting smoking, you should still know what its effects are on your health. You must do more than simply admit to the fact that cigarette smoking may be harmful to your health. You must become aware that the problem of smoking is one that has personal meaning to you and your well being.
WHAT ILLNESSES ARE ASSOCIATED WITH SMOKING?
Cancer of the mouth, larynx and lung, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory disease are all related to smoking. These are some of the most serious diseases; therefore, you should not ignore the growing evidence that cigarette smoking can cause such health problems and even death.
ARE ALL HEALTH RISKS THAT ACCOMPANY SMOKING IMMEDIATELY PRESENT?
Research has shown that cigarette smokers generally have a shorter life-span than non-smokers. Although you may not immediately notice the health consequences of smoking in yourself or your friends, statistics show that, in the long-run, they will occur. Some of the long-term consequences are that smokers lose one day out of every five from work because of illness; one day out of every ten is spent in bed because of illness; and, one day out of every eight is spent in restricted activity. That is to say, they must limit their physical involvement because they smoke.
IS EVERYONE WHO SMOKES AFFECTED BY THE MEDICAL RISKS?
Many smokers believe that they won’t be the victims. They believe that this only happens to the “other guy.” Their reasoning might go something like this: “I don’t smoke enough to be really hurt by it..”
There is significant evidence to suggest that you are incorrect. Even people who smoke less than half a pack a day show much higher health consequences than non-smokers. The ability to breathe effectively can fade after only a very few years of regular smoking. What used to be considered light smoking, such as a half a pack of cigarettes a day, can be harmful to your health.
WILL QUITTING SMOKING REALLY HELP?
The truth is, stopping smoking begins to pay immediate health benefits. After one year there is an important drop in the risk of heart attacks among those who quit, compared to those who continued to smoke.
WHO IS ESPECIALLY AT RISK?
Smoking is especially dangerous for people who suffer from heart disease, stomach ulcers, or diseases such as emphysema or bronchitis. This is because it is difficult, if not impossible, to control these illnesses in the person who smokes. That is to say, your illness can be better controlled and treated if you give up smoking.
