The Hazards of Smoking: A Wake-Up Call for Young and Old

Nowadays, more and more young people are smoking. There is a saying that goes, "A cigarette after a meal is better than being a god". However, this is a misconception. Smoking is very harmful to the body. Some people are aware of the dangers of smoking but are unwilling to quit. On the other hand, older generations struggle to quit smoking and often relapse. Is smoking really that good? Perhaps after reading the following hazards of smoking, you will never want to smoke again. Decreased Immunity Long-term smoking can weaken the immune system and make the body more susceptible to diseases such as heart disease and arteriosclerosis. Reduced Lifespan Smoking shortens lifespan with each cigarette smoked. When talking about the hazards of smoking, we have to mention lifespan. According to some studies, on average, smoking one cigarette can shorten lifespan by 11 minutes. Although this number may not be exact, one thing is certain - non-smokers live longer than smokers. Long-term smokers are less likely to live to retirement age. The longer a man smokes, the higher the chances of developing diseases. Once the disease strikes, it is too late to regret. To all the leaders and friends, although giving cigarettes and alcohol has become a trend, please quit smoking for the sake of your family's health. Impaired Sleep Research shows that smokers have shorter sleep durations and poorer sleep quality compared to non-smokers. Nicotine is the main culprit that affects sleep. Poor sleep quality not only affects mental alertness after waking up, but it is also associated with health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Osteoporosis Some smokers may wonder if smoking can cause osteoporosis. The answer is yes. Nicotine in tobacco affects calcium absorption, inhibits bone cell formation, and stimulates osteoclast activity. Insufficient calcium intake alone can lead to the release of bone calcium into the blood to maintain normal blood calcium levels. This can cause a decrease in bone density and lead to osteoporosis. Cancer The link between smoking and cancer is well-established. Smoking is not only a major cause of lung cancer, but it is also associated with lip, tongue, oral, esophageal, stomach, colon, pancreatic, kidney, and cervical cancers. Research shows that carcinogenic substances in cigarette smoke can also affect fetuses through the placenta, significantly increasing the risk of cancer in the offspring. People who suffer from lung cancer and bronchitis are almost always long-term smokers. There are 1300 carcinogenic substances in cigarette smoke, 36 of which are the most lethal, such as nicotine, tar, and benzene. These substances affect the body's metabolism. 90% of people who develop cancer die from lung cancer. Therefore, we must take the hazards of smoking seriously.