Cigarettes: Do You Really Understand Its Dangers?

Cigarettes: Do You Really Understand Its Dangers?Chang Da-bo, a "long-time smoker," started smoking at the age of 20 and has been smoking for over 40 years. He smokes a pack of cigarettes a day and even lights up while walking in the neighborhood after meals

Cigarettes: Do You Really Understand Its Dangers?

Chang Da-bo, a "long-time smoker," started smoking at the age of 20 and has been smoking for over 40 years. He smokes a pack of cigarettes a day and even lights up while walking in the neighborhood after meals. People around him have urged him to quit, worried that he will develop lung diseases, but he doesn't care. He even uses his father, who smoked all his life and lived to be over 90, as a counterargument. Chang Da-bo believes there is no significant connection between smoking and lung cancer, after all, even non-smokers can get lung cancer, and only a small number of smokers out of 100 will develop lung cancer.

Chang Da-bo's thoughts are not unique. Many smokers believe that smoking does not increase the risk of lung cancer or that they are "lucky" and won't get lung cancer. But is that really the case?

What is the true relationship between smoking and lung cancer?

I. Out of 100 smokers, how many will eventually get lung cancer?

1. Smoking is one of the main causes of lung cancer.

A study published in the British Journal of Cancer pointed out: Smoking more than 5 cigarettes a day increases the risk of dying from lung cancer by 25% at the age of 75; while for non-smokers, the probability of dying from lung cancer at the age of 75 is only 0.3%. This means that smokers' risk of dying from lung cancer is 83 times higher than that of non-smokers! Moreover, the earlier you start smoking, the longer you smoke, and the more you smoke, the higher the risk of developing lung cancer.

2. How many smokers will die from lung cancer in their lifetime?

Dr. Li Zhizhong, a cancer biology PhD from Duke University in the United States, said: If you smoke more than 5 cigarettes a day and smoke your whole life, then 1 out of every 4 people will be targeted by lung cancer. That is to say, out of 100 long-time smokers, 25 will develop lung cancer.

3. The dangers of smoking go far beyond lung cancer.

Smoking not only leads to lung cancer but also triggers a series of health problems, such as:

• Cardiovascular diseases: Ischemic heart disease, stroke, etc.

• Lung diseases: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, etc.

• Other diseases and cancers: Stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, oral cancer, bladder cancer, etc.

Cigarettes are known as the "deadliest drug in history," and their harm to the body exceeds our imagination!

II. These 3 seemingly healthy cigarettes are even more harmful than regular cigarettes!

Many smokers know that smoking is harmful to their health, but they don't know that some seemingly healthy tobacco products are even more harmful than regular cigarettes!

1. E-cigarettes: The hidden killer

E-cigarettes are composed of cartridges, heating atomizers, batteries, etc. Many people believe they are healthier than regular cigarettes, but this is not the case.

• E-cigarettes also contain nicotine: Nicotine is the main addictive substance in cigarettes. It strongly stimulates the brain, causing addiction.

• E-cigarettes may contain other toxic substances: Some e-cigarettes also add other flavors and additives, and these substances pose significant harm to the body.

• Long-term use of e-cigarettes can lead to popcorn lung: Popcorn lung is a serious lung disease that causes shortness of breath, coughing, and other symptoms.

• E-cigarettes may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer: More and more studies have shown that e-cigarettes increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and cancer.

2. Tea cigarettes: Trapped in the guise of health

Some merchants tout "no nicotine, healthy, smoking cessation products" to promote tea cigarettes. However, in reality, tea cigarettes, just like traditional cigarettes, contain large amounts of harmful substances.

• Burning tea leaves releases harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and carbon dioxide: These substances can damage the respiratory system and increase the risk of lung cancer.

• The safety of tea cigarettes cannot be guaranteed: Burning tea leaves produces a lot of smoke, which may contain unburned materials. The harm of these substances to the human body is unknown.

3. Menthol cigarettes: Feels smoother, but more harmful

Menthol cigarettes were invented by Americans and have a large consumer group in China. Some people believe that menthol cigarettes are cooler and smoother to smoke, but in fact, menthol cigarettes are more harmful.

• Inhaled menthol cigarettes have higher levels of nicotine, cotinine, and carbon monoxide exhaled than regular cigarettes: This means that menthol cigarettes are more harmful to the body.

• Frequent smoking of menthol cigarettes increases the risk of lung cancer, lung diseases, etc.: Menthol in cigarettes numbs the respiratory tract, making it difficult for people to notice the smoke they inhale, leading to easier inhalation of more harmful substances.

III. If you really can't quit smoking, do these 6 things to minimize the harm of smoking

The harm of smoking to the body is multifaceted. For the sake of your health, it is best to quit smoking immediately. But if you really can't quit smoking, you should also try to minimize the harm caused by tobacco.

1. Try to choose low tar cigarettes

Tar is one of the main harmful substances produced by the burning of tobacco. It can damage the respiratory system and increase the risk of cancer. Choosing low tar cigarettes can reduce the amount of tar inhaled, reducing the risk of disease.

2. Only smoke the first third of a lit cigarette

The shorter the cigarette, the more harmful substances accumulate. It is recommended to only smoke the first third of the cigarette and not smoke the cigarette butts after you put it out.

3. Drink some water before smoking

Drinking more water can promote the elimination of harmful substances. Try to drink more water before smoking. Don't smoke when you're thirsty.

4. Choose blended cigarettes

Blended cigarettes have lower tar content, and after smoking, you will feel a sense of bloating, reducing the amount of smoke inhaled into the lungs.

5. Avoid smoking after meals

The stomach churns faster after meals. If you smoke, harmful substances are easier to be inhaled into the body. For the sake of your health, it is best not to smoke after meals.

6. Air out a freshly opened pack of cigarettes for a few minutes before smoking

Newly purchased cigarettes may not have had time to breathe in the workshop before being quickly sealed into the pack. Therefore, it is best to air out the pack for more than 3 minutes before smoking.

Conclusion

Smoking is harmful to health, there's no denying that. For the sake of your own health and the health of your family, please stay away from cigarettes and quit as soon as possible! If you have already quit smoking, please persevere and don't go back to smoking.

References:

[1] ..2022-05-07 (Every puff may bring you closer to cancer! Its harm to the body is worse than you think. Popular Science China. 2022-05-07)

[2] 6..2020-10-17 (6 lifestyle habits to minimize the harm of smoking. Guangdong TV Health Dao. 2020-10-17)

[3] 100..2024-02-26 (Out of 100 smokers, how many will eventually get lung cancer? The answer will surely surprise you!. Pineapple Factor. 2024-02-26)

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