Here are some facts about tobacco smoking. Tobacco, mixed with other additives, is burned and the vapors are inhaled. The active substances, absorbed by the lungs, trigger chemical reactions which result in increased heart rate, memory, and alertness. As of 2000, 1.22 billion people are tobacco smokers. It is estimated that 1.45 billion people will smoke in 2010 and 1.5 to 1.9 billion in 2025.Tobacco smoke contains carcinogens or cancer-causing substances. There are over 19 known carcinogens in tobacco smoke. Some of the most potent carcinogens are:
• Polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzopyrene are tar components produced when burned. Tar, known as the most destructive component of tobacco, damages the smoker’s lungs, mouth, gums, and taste buds.
• Acrolein gives smoke its acrid smell. It is a mutagen and carcinogen in human cells.
• Nitrosamines are known to cause cancer of the lungs, pancreas, esophagus, and oral cavity.

Tobacco smoke also contains radioactive carcinogens like lead-210 and polonium-210. These substances can cause lung adenocarcinoma and bladder cancer.

Another component of tobacco products is nicotine, a highly addictive psychoactive chemical. Nicotine plays a role in diseases such as stroke, impotence, and heart disease. Nicotine, in itself is not carcinogenic or mutagenic. But, its ability to inhibit cell death accelerates the growth of existing cancers.

These components of tobacco smoke lead to various diseases that affect the heart and the lungs. Smoking is also a major risk factor for heart attacks, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, lung cancer, laryngeal cancer, oral cancer, and pancreatic cancer.

Tobacco smoking reduces a smoker’s life expectancy from 2.5 to 10 years fewer than a nonsmoker. In 2015, tobacco smoking is predicted to kill 6.5 million people and 8.3 million in 2030. According to the World Health Organization, a current or former smoker dies every 6.5 seconds!

Don’t let yourself become the next casualty among smokers. Save yourself! Quit smoking now!

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