Smoke from burning cigarettes contains over 4 chemical compounds, including over 000 known carcinogens and many other toxic substances. So far, no safe level has been established when we are exposed to the effects of tobacco smoke, and there is no indication that any further research could determine such a safe level.
The US Environmental Protection Agency recognized in 1993 that environmental tobacco smoke is a factor in many cancers. On the other hand, in 2009, the Council of the EU classified smoke from smoking cigarettes as carcinogens in the workplace as well.
How is our life shortened by smoking?
According to scientists, on the basis of research conducted by the University of Bristol, it can be determined that the average smoker lives up to 10 years shorter than the non-smokerand each subsequent one is fired a cigarette can cost approximately 11 minutes of life! It was also estimated during the calculations that the average male smoker aged 17-71 smokes an average of 311 cigarettes.
In smokers, wrinkles develop earlier, the appearance of the skin deteriorates, wound healing is delayed and the condition of many skin diseases, such as acne or psoriasis, may be exacerbated. Long-term smoking of cigarettes also results in bad breath, yellowing of the fingers, and discoloration and stone coating of the teeth in the mouth.
Stop smoking to avoid serious health effects
Compulsive smoking has very serious effects on our health. A tobacco smoker is particularly exposed to:
- respiratory system diseases - such as: emphysema, chronic bronchitis, cancer of the lungs, tongue, lip, mouth, larynx, trachea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, bronchial asthma or even tuberculosis,
- cardiovascular disease - such as: ischemic heart disease, myocardial infarction, occlusive atherosclerosis of the lower limbs, arterial hypertension or aortic aneurysm,
- other diseases - such as: cancer of the kidney, bladder, esophagus, gastric and duodenal ulcers, intestinal hernias, eye diseases (cataracts, amblyopia, macular degeneration), impotence or impaired fertility.