Smoking (also called tobacco use or tabagism) is the habit of smoking tobacco, especially cigarettes.
Even if it may seem “normal” in some places, smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable disease and death in the world.
What’s in a cigarette?
A cigarette doesn’t contain only tobacco, but also over 4,000 chemical substances, many of which are toxic and carcinogenic (they can cause cancer).
Some examples:
- Nicotine: causes addiction
- Tar: damages the lungs
- Carbon monoxide: reduces oxygen in the blood
- Other substances: ammonia, arsenic, acetone...
Health effects
Smoking can cause:
- Cancer (especially lung, mouth, throat)
- Heart disease
- Chronic bronchitis and emphysema
- Skin and dental problems
- Weakened immune system
- Physical and psychological addiction
Passive smokingEven people who don’t smoke, but breathe in smoke from others, are at risk. This is called passive smoking.
- Children and babies are especially vulnerable
- It can cause asthma, bronchitis, ear infections, and other issues
Smoking and young people
Many teenagers start smoking because of:
- Curiosity
- Imitating others
- Peer pressure
- Wanting to look older
But nicotine causes addiction very quickly, and quitting becomes difficult.Did you know…?
On average, a smoker lives 10 years less than a non-smoker
- People who quit smoking, even after years, immediately reduce health risks
- Every year, smoking kills more than 8 million people around the world
What can you do?
- Don’t start: that’s the best choice
- Get informed about the real risks
- Support friends or relatives who want to quit
- Learn to say no firmly if someone offers you a cigarette
Cosa dice un esperto (intervista a un medico della ASL)
Dott. Maurizio Varese, Resp. Servizio Dipendenze Zona Apuane
