Recent statistics have revealed that tobacco use causes more than 7 million deaths per year. If the pattern of smoking doesn’t change, more than 8 million people a year are expected to die from diseases related to tobacco use by 2030*.
The World Health Organisation (WHO), in the year of 1987, declared May 31 to be “World No Tobacco Day.” This day is dedicated to highlighting the harmful effects of Tobacco on human health and the deaths that are caused due to tobacco dependence.
Every year WHO defines a theme to create awareness on World No Tobacco Day. This year’s theme is “Grow Food, not Tobacco.” This year’s theme emphasizes the importance of generating more food to feed the ever-increasing global population than producing Tobacco.
Tobacco smoke is cancerous in nature as it has over 60 chemicals with harmful substances. Even “all-natural” or herbal cigarettes have harmful chemicals.
Smoking is harmful not only to the person smoking, but it is injurious to the people around them too. You’re exposing loved ones to secondhand smoke. Exposure to smoke, in the case of children, has a risk of developing asthma, ear infections, and colds.
Tobacco intake has a harmful impact on every organ of your body. Smoking just one cigarette a day over a lifetime can be hazardous; it causes an irreversible impact on your health.
Apart from cigarettes, there are several other forms of Tobacco. Some people smoke Tobacco in cigars and water pipes (hookahs). These forms of Tobacco also contain harmful chemicals and nicotine. As soon as you quit Tobacco, your body begins to auto-correct the damage that it has gone through smoking. Quitting Tobacco can make you look, feel, and be healthier.
Our health expert, Dr. Sonal Mhatre, BHMS with 17 years of Clinical experience, shares ten reasons why you should quit Tobacco.
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Risk of Lung Disease and lung cancer: Smoking increases your risk of developing lung cancer. Tobacco intake causes lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also makes asthma worse. Quitting reduces the risk of Lung cancer and lung disease.
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Risk of other cancers: Tobacco intake can harm the body cells, thereby increasing your risk of developing different types of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, pharynx (throat), esophagus (food pipe), larynx (voice box), urinary bladder, pancreas, kidney, cervix, and some types of leukemia (blood cancer). As per research, tobacco intake causes 30% of all cancer deaths.
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Risk of Diabetes: Tobacco intake or smoking increases the risk of Diabetes. It disturbs blood sugar levels and insulin production. Quitting, therefore, lowers your risk of Diabetes.
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Health risks of smoking during pregnancy: Expecting mothers have an increased risk of miscarriage or premature delivery, low birth rate, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if they consume Tobacco. So, ensure you quit Tobacco consumption if you are expecting or planning.
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Improves taste and smell: Because smoking interferes with your sense of taste, food tastes better when you quit. Your sense of smell also enhances, so get ready to enjoy the smell when you quit smoking.
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Relief from cough: Tobacco intake or smoking can irritate your respiratory tract causing chronic coughing. Within a few weeks after quitting, you will experience a marked reduction in your cough, and you will have an increased level of energy.
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Premature aging: Tobacco causes premature wrinkling and depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients, making skin look pale or gray skin tone in heavy smokers. When you stop consuming Tobacco, your body starts adapting to a normal cycle of function, thereby aging naturally.
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Risk of heart disease: Tobacco intake in the form of smoking can cause serious and irreparable heart-related diseases; it can lead to the hardening of arteries or forming of plaque. Under all circumstances, Tobacco consumption can make it difficult for your heart to function normally.
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Increased risk of tuberculosis: Individuals who smoke are at increased risk of developing tuberculosis (TB). Smoking can increase the risk of re-occurrence of TB and may delay the body’s response to the treatment.
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Reduces the risk of premature death: Tobacco intake is one of the significant causes leading to premature death. If you quit smoking, you can add ten years to your life expectancy.
Tobacco intake has no health benefits. Rather it is very harmful to your health. It is an addiction that can cost you your life. Take medical help, consult a doctor, and adopt a healthy lifestyle to stop your Tobacco consumption as early as possible.
*Data Source: Diseases and Death (cdc.gov)
