Causes of smoking cigarette

# The effects of smoking on human health are serious and in many cases, deadly.

– There are approximately 4000 chemicals in cigarettes, hundreds of which are toxic.

– The ingredients in cigarettes affect everything from the internal functioning of organs to the efficiency of the body’s immune system.

– The effects of cigarette smoking are destructive and widespread.

# Smoking Effects on the Human Body

– Toxic ingredients in cigarette smoke travel throughout the body, causing damage in several different ways.

– Nicotine reaches the brain within 10 seconds after smoke is inhaled. It has been found in every part of the body and in breast milk.

– Carbon monoxide binds to hemoglobin in red blood cells, preventing affected cells from carrying a full load of oxygen.

– Cancer-causing agents (carcinogens) in tobacco smoke damage important genes that control the growth of cells, causing them to grow abnormally or to reproduce too rapidly.

– The carcinogen benzo(a)pyrene binds to cells in the airways and major organs of smokers.

– Smoking affects the function of the immune system and may increase the risk for respiratory and other infections.

– There are several likely ways that cigarette smoke does its damage. One is oxidative stress that mutates DNA, promotes atherosclerosis, and leads to chronic lung injury.

– Oxidative stress is thought to be the general mechanism behind the aging process, contributing to the development of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and COPD.

– The body produces antioxidants to help repair damaged cells. Smokers have lower levels of antioxidants in their blood than do nonsmokers.

– Smoking is associated with higher levels of chronic inflammation, another damaging process that may result in oxidative stress.



Source: Causes of smoking cigarette