How To Stop Smoking

Everyone feels that smoking is bad, especially for youngsters. But what are the possible effects of secondhand smoke on children, particularly the infant and secondhand smoke? Let’s take a look at the health effects on a child who is exposed to secondhand smoke.

Secondhand smoke is the name of the smoke that is emitted by a lit cigarette mixed with the smoke that is exhaled by a smoker engaged in the process of smoking. This method of involuntary exposure affects all those who are near a smoker, and thus of course children. The effect can be seen during pregnancy, even before a child is born. Studies have shown that prenatal exposure to nicotine, as it is contained in cigarette smoke, will lead to low birth weight in a newborn. Additionally, it may contribute to prenatal death and resulting miscarriage. After the infant has been born, secondhand smoke has been linked to the much-feared sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) which causes healthy infants less than one year of age to die without recognizable causation. Children who survive their infancy and later on develop asthma will find their attacks to be more acute than those of their counterparts who live in smoke free environments. Because of the toxins that are exhaled as well as released from a lit cigarette, children who are exposed to secondhand smoke frequently develop respiratory tract infections such as chronic bronchitis, postnasal drip, and frequent colds. Of course, there are also other health risks, such as an increased risk of ear infections and sore throats, and these are only a smattering of the effects of secondhand smoke on children.

Nonetheless, the most severe damage done by tobacco smoke to children is the damage inflicted on their lungs. An infant and secondhand smoke are a hurtful combination. Infants who were exposed to nicotine prior to birth, regularly have limited lung functions, which is the reason they are more susceptible to succumbing to SIDS after birth. One of the reasons why infants are so negatively affected by secondhand smoke is that their breathing rate is quicker than an adult’s breathing rate, and thus, by weight, they are receiving a larger amount of secondhand smoke and all its toxins than an adult would. Add to this factor the developmental immaturity of a baby’s lungs and it is clear that so many hospitalizations can be directly traced to a parent’s smoking around the children.

Another issue to think about is the quantitative exposure of kids to cigarette smoke. Usually smokers have other smokers within their close circle of friends and acquaintances and choose not to regulate smoking to the garage or any other location away from the children. Thus, a child is often not only exposed to a parent’s or caregiver’s secondhand smoke, but also to that of their friends, family, and other adults. Sadly, children who are exposed regularly to secondhand smoke will be at a high risk of developing lung cancer, following in the footsteps of their smoking parents and caregivers. It may be that the worst aspect of smoking related hospitalizations in children who were exposed to secondhand smoke is the fact that this could have been summarily avoided, especially the cases that involve an infant and secondhand smoke. Do not wait until it is too late and the effects of secondhand smoke on children are permanent. Make sure your kids stay in environments that are smoke-free. Put the respiratory health of your kids ahead of the risks involved with smoke exposure. Control your child’s opportunities for secondhand smoke exposure, and quit smoking before it is too late!

Originally posted 2009-11-28 17:17:07.

Smoking and Health Problems are preventable problems, but many who begin to smoke especially young people don’t realize how dangerous it is and that it causes premature death. Smokers have a low life expectancy and the quality of their life is not good.

Smoking is highly addictive due to nicotine activating the same areas of the brain that drug addicts activate and it’s hard to quit once hooked. There are many consequences to smoking and I can only touch on some without having to write a book.

Smoking Effects On The Body

1).Organs in the body are adversely affected by smoke which has many poisonous toxins. Due to the toxins the body’s performance is diminished.

2).Smoking causes coronary artery disease. The lining of the arteries is damaged and plaque begins to form causing major atherosclerosis. Of course nicotine works as a stimulant and caused the heart to bit faster but oxygen is not increased since the lungs are impacted by the cigarette smoking.

3).A smokers face is one that seems to look dry and wrinkled. The skin dries and a smoker begins to look older than they really are. Wrinkles appear due to free radicals and collagen production interruption which causes the skin to age. Smoking accelerates the pace that enzymes that break down collagen and elastin connective tissue is broken. Smoking also depletes Vitamin C which is necessary for the synthesis of collagen.The hair becomes stringy and damaged due to cigarette nicotine which reduces the amount of oxygen to the scalp. The nails are also affected by the lack of oxygen

4). smoking causes cancer which means it’s a carcinogen. Lung cancer is the most common cancer caused by smoking. Other cancer is exacerbated by smoking, making them more deadly.

5). Estrogen is impacted by the use of nicotine. Smoking seems to break down estrogen in the body more quickly. Estrogen is helps build and maintain a strong skeleton in both women and men. Absorption of calcium is reduced causing osteoporosis.

6).Halitosis or bad breath is another problem with smoking. Smokers have no way of hiding that they smoke since the smell is in their pores

7).Smokers are more likely to develop complications as they age. Alzheimers, osteroporosis, diabetes, gastro-esophageal reflux, peptic ulcers, and senile macular degeneration. The body is weakened by smoking and with age the body becomes affected by these diseases.

8). Second hand smoke is also dangerous. Not only are smokers affected, but the people around them as well. They can develop lung cancer, and also in children, they are more prone to asthma, respiratory infections, wheezing, coughing, ear infections and SIDS.

9).Hormonal birth control is not good to take while smoking due to complications it can bring about. Some problems that can develop are liver cancer, blood clots, and gallbladder disease. Another danger for women smoking is they tend to die seven years sooner then those women who don’t smoke.

Stop smoking! is easy to say, but doing it is another thing. Its an addiction that has to be overcome. Its good to know what to expect and how long it will last. Depression, restlessness, increased appetite, diminished concentration, irritability, light headedness, cravings, and insomina are the challenges but they only last four weeks.

People who smoke seem to need a smoke when they are stressed out or under pressure. Finding a new way to release those emotions is another way to quit smoking. A good example would be exercising, or meditation.

Modern technology has make it easier to stop smoking. The most important step is to decide to quit and improve life expectancy and quality of life.

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