A cigarettes is made from tobacco, chemical additives, a filter, and paper wrapping. The chemical additives include an extensive list of about 7000 different compounds, 250 of which are known to be very harmful to the human body. To demonstrate, here are several examples. Ammonia found in cigarettes is also used in traditional many cleaning products. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide found in cigarettes are the same chemicals that have been used to kill humans and animals in gas chambers. Formaldehyde, used to preserve dead bodies in its liquid form, is included in the list of chemical additives in cigarettes. In the filter of a cigarette, you will find vinyl chloride, a man made chemical used to make plastics. Finally, nicotine a main ingredient in cigarettes, which is also a poison used to kill bugs and can be found in pesticides.
Nicotine is actually one of the most addictive substances in a cigarette as a smoker can become addicted within days of using it, just like hard drugs such as cocaine or heroin. Nicotine is so powerful because it leads to the release of dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a naturally occurring "feel good" electric signal (<em>neurotransmitter</em>) that makes you happy. When the brain is overloaded with it, it doesn't want it to stop.
The human body can suffer in many ways from both long term and short term smoking. In the short term, some side effects include immediate nose, throat and eye irritations and lung damage. Smoking also immediately starts to lower the level of oxygen in your blood because of all the chemicals. Some long term side effects of smoking include an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, flow of blood to the heart and a narrowing arteries which lead to heart attacks. Lung cancer and heart disease are also common. It can also cause a lot of teeth yellowing and oral diseases of the mouth tongue and throat. It can hurt the development of an unborn baby and can have serious health effects on those around you who breath it in second hand.
To stop someone from smoking it is best to first set a good example. Don't smoke yourself and if you do, avoid doing it around the person who is trying to quit. You also need to remember that smoking is an addiction, so nagging, shaming or being impatient are not helpful. Helping them find ways to reduce their stress weather that means helping out with simple everyday tasks a little bit more or just being a good friend with a supportive, listening ear can make a big difference. That also means keeping in regular contact and checking up to show you care. Steering them away from temptation when the opportunity arises is also a great help. When you hang out avoid places where you may come into contact with smoking. Sometimes when people quit smoking, they may start to notice weight gain. Promoting a healthy body image and avoiding making fun can help them feel secure and confident to continue their quitting journey.
Smoking is one of the most difficult addictions to quit, but the health consequences are huge. With the right tools, good support system and good independent reasons for quitting, it can be done. When I speak to long-term smokers and people who have quit or are trying to, they all have the same regret. They wish they never tried it in the first place.
