Smoking: The Bad And The Worse

Smoking is a leading cause of respiratory diseases, such as lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and emphysema. The harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system are welldocumented. Smoking damages the airways and alveoli in the lungs, leading to inflammation and scarring. This damage can cause a chronic cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.

One of the most significant risks associated with smoking is the development of lung cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that smoking accounts for 85% of lung cancer cases. The chemicals in tobacco smoke damage the DNA in lung cells, causing mutations that can lead to cancer. The risk of developing lung cancer increases with the duration and amount of smoking. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of developing lung cancer, even for those who have smoked for many years.

In addition to the direct harm caused by smoking, secondhand smoke is also dangerous. Secondhand smoke is exhaled by smokers and from the burning end of a cigarette, cigar, or pipe. Non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk of developing lung cancer, heart disease, and other respiratory illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), secondhand smoke causes approximately 41,000 deaths from lung cancer and heart disease in non-smoking adults annually in the United States alone.