Studies show that cigarette smoke contains over 3000 substances like ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, tar, nicotine, organic acids, cadmium, radio-active elements such as polonium – 210 and nitro-samine among others. It is true that not all of these chemicals are harmful to the smokers’ and non-smokers’ health. But the fact remains that a lot of them are associated with one form of cancer as well as other ailments.
These dangerous substances in cigarette smoke may lead to stroke, heart attacks and sexual dysfunction. The smoke does so through certain processes, reveal researchers. Hear their summarized report: “Cigarette smoke damages the small, delicate blood vessels in the body, thus exposing smokers to increased risks of heart attack, strokes and erectile dysfunction………
An erection is essentially blood vessel and neurological matter, for instance, when the small arteries carrying blood to the male organ is decreased by cigarette smoke and or lose their elasticity, blood flow to the organ is diminished. Consequently, there is a slower on set of arousal, reduced rigidity and an early, quick resolution before or moments after penile entrance.”
In his book MALIGNANT CANCER, Dr. Robert Boyle gives insights into how studies link certain cancers to cigarette smoking. To start with, he cites the work of Dr. Ernst L. Wynder at Washington University in St. Louis, USA in 1950. Dr. Wynder’s investigations discovered that cigarette smoke was linked to the rapid increase of lung cancer in society.
Two smokers Drs Daniel Horn and E. Cuyler Hammond of the American Cancer Society weren’t convinced of Dr. Wynder’s report. So they began their own study on the effect of smoking on human health, using a sample of 187, 766 middle-aged male smokers. Their study soon started to reveal half-way by 1954 that there was convincing evidence that cigarette smoking was associated with lung cancer and heart diseases. Immediately, Drs Daniel Horn and E. Cuyler Hammond stopped smoking following this scientific discovery.
Generally, other findings have, over the years, emerged from researches into the impact of cigarette smoke on one’s health. First discovery. The increased rate of lung cancer is usually associated with high per capital consumption of cigarette. Invariably the more cigarette you smoke, the higher your risk exposure to cancer of the lung.
Second discovery: Cancer of the pancreas and bladder occurs more in cigarette smokers. If you don’t smoke, you may have bladder/pancreas cancer. However, when you smoke the chances of having these cancers are higher. In case, you don’t know there are some people who develop these cancers with no established scientific cause. That is life for you. Scientific knowledge is limited.
Third discovery: Coronary artery disease is 70% more prevalent in smoking than in non-smokers. The coronary arteries carry blood to the heart. Smoking can make them shift and inelastic; as well as clogged up, thus compromising their health.
Fourth discovery: Smokers in particular have an enzyme known as Aryl Hydro-carbon Hydroxylase (AHH). The level of this enzyme in them is low. It is required in a large amount before chemical carcinogens like benzoprene, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, etc found in cigarette smoke can be metabolically activated leading to lung cancer, ultimately. This is why there is no direct causal relationship between lung cancer and cigarette smoking. There has to be interviewing variables mediating negatively before cancer can attack the lung, bladder, pancreas, etc as a result of smoking cigarette.
Fifth discovery: A smoker’s genetic make up does not singularly predispose him to cancer. Rather, his smoking habit does. What his genes do are raising the likelihood of the smoker’s response to a carcinogen in a cigarette smoker; and influencing the severity of a cancer after it has occurred. It is for this reason medical scientists tell you to that genes don’t condemn you to cancers associated with the smoking of cigarette. On the contrary, that cigarette burning in your hand is what sentences you to “imprisonment” by cancer. It “prepares” you for the onset of cancer and other morbidity.
Lest I forget, I must not fail to say that smoking or chewing tobacco is also hazardous to one’s health. This habit is common in our society.
In fact, you find ground tobacco mixed with potash sold and used all over the place. Also, you see people sniffing it as snuff. All these are forms of “smoking” just like chewing tobacco.
In one of her write-ups titled CANCER: ITS PREVENTION AND CONTROL published in The Post Express of January 24, 2001 Dr. (Mrs.) Sylvia Adebanjo warned that smoked, chewed or snuffed tobacco can give rise to cancer of the lungs, larynx, mouth, pharynx, oesophagus, bladder and the pancreas.
Furthermore, studies have confirmed that smoking tobacco similarly predisposes its users to lip and mouth cancers. The studies differentiate between smokers using short and long-stem clay pipes or mouth burners. Specifically, the studies say lip and mouth cancers occur more frequently among those using short burners because of the absence of the cooling effect achieved by long-stem clay pipes.
From all that has been said, it is crystal clear that smoking cigarette or tobacco is a hazardous habit. Fortunately enough, you have been warned by the inscription carried on the packets of cigarette that “Smokers Are Likely To Die Young.” The warning is true. Each stick of cigarette or wrap of tobacco you smoke takes you nearer your grave. Yes, something must kill a man? Well, note. What does it profit a man when he dies through smoking while his soul mates are dying of natural causes or still alive?
