World no tobacco day
World no tobacco day is celebrated on 31st May every year. It is a day of thought and reflection for smokers and non-smokers around the world. The day aims at informing the public about the dangers of smoking and the business practices of the companies. The theme of this year is “Commit To Quit”.
Jean Nicot was a Frenchman who introduced Tobacco to France in 1560 from Spain. The first man smoking is Englishman who is a sailor in Bristol in 1556, seen “emitting smoke from his nostrils”. Kiribati has the highest smoking rates in the world at 52.40%.
Effects of Tobacco on Health
According to WHO, smoking causes 8 million deaths every year. The big 5 respiratory diseases like asthma, COPD, lung cancer, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and other respiratory infections are caused by smoking. Smokers were more likely to develop severe disease with COVID-19 compared to non-smokers. When you quit smoking within 2-12 weeks your circulation improves and your lungs start performing better like a non-smoker. Within 10- 15 years your chances of stroke are reduced to that of a Non-smoker. Within 15 years, your risk of heart disease is that of a non-smoker.
There are more than 100 reasons to stop smoking today. Some reasons are –
- Smokers have a greater risk of developing a severe case and dying from COVID-19.
- Tobacco Causes your teeth to yellow.
- Over 1 million people die every year from exposure to second-hand smoke.
- School-aged children exposed to the harmful effects of second-hand smoke are also at risk for asthma through inflammation of the airways to the lungs.
- Tobacco use can affect social interactions and relationships negatively.
- One study found that smokers burn through an average of $1.4 million in personal costs, includes spending on cigarettes, medical costs, and lower wages brought on by smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke.
Effects of smoking on the body
No matters how much you smoke but the effects of the smoking on the body remains the same. Smoking can lead to a variety of ongoing complications in the body, as well as long-term effects on your body systems. It can lead to various symptoms for overall years.
Tobacco is mood altering drug and one of is ingredients would be nicotine. Nicotine is a dangerous and highly addictive chemical. It can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, flow of blood to the heart and a narrowing of the arteries (vessels that carry blood). It takes just 10 seconds for nicotine to reach the brain after you inhale it. Nicotine causes the brain to release chemicals that make you feel pleasure.
Effects of smoking on sexuality
Nicotine affects blood flow to the genital areas of both men and women. For men, this can decrease sexual performance. For women, this can result in sexual dissatisfaction by decreasing lubrication and the ability to reach orgasm.
Health Concerns
Smoking affects your relations with your family and friends. There is no coming back when u once started smoking. It is hard to quit.
