| Smoke, or any
partially burnt organic matter, is carcinogenic
(cancer-causing). The damage a continuing smoker does to their
lungs can take up to 20 years before its physical manifestation
in lung cancer. Women began smoking later than men, so the rise
in death rate amongst women did not appear until later. The male
lung cancer death rate decreased in 1975 — roughly 20 years
after the fall in cigarette consumption in men. A fall in
consumption in women also began in 1975 but by 1991 had not
manifested in a decrease in lung cancer related mortalities
amongst women.
The carcinogenity of tobacco smoke is not explained by nicotine
per se, which is not carcinogenic or mutagenic. However , it
inhibits apoptosis, therefore accelerating existing cancers.
Also, NNK, a nicotine derivative converted from nicotine, can be
carcinogenic. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
caused by smoking, known as tobacco disease, is a permanent,
incurable reduction of pulmonary capacity characterized by
shortness of breath, wheezing, persistent cough with sputum, and
damage to the lungs, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Effects on the heart >>
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Tobacco smoking
Methods of smoking
Health effects
1.
Establishing a link between smoking and health effects
2. Health risks of smoking
2.1 Carcinogenicity
2.2 Effects on the heart
2.3 Smoker's attitudes
3. Passive smoking
4. Somatic and psychological effects
5. Mood and anxiety disorders
6. Health benefits of smoking
Effects of the habit and
industry on society
1. Effect on healthcare costs
2. Tobacco and other drugs
3. Advertising
4. Peer pressure
5. Parental smoking
6. Smoking in movies and television
7. The use of smoking to project an image
Religious views
on smoking Smoking cessation
Legal issues and
regulation
1. Age restrictions
2. Taxation
3. Restrictions on cigarette advertising
4. Package warnings
5. Smoking bans
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