Smoking: Facts
Cigarettes, ciggies, tabs, fags, smokes. You can't totally
get away from them even if you want to. Wherever you go,
sooner or later you'll trip over a tab. They're permitted
by law, easy to get hold of and loads of people use them.
So does that mean they're not as bad for you as health officials
say? Are the low-tar ones better than the others? Whether
you smoke or not, like cigs or hate them, want to give up
yourself or want to persuade your mates/cousin/mum to stop,
take a look at this factsheet. It pulls together various
info about smoking and uncovers some interesting bits
you might not know. Check out the FAQs (Frequently Asked
Questions) below. Plus, there are useful organisations listed
in the Contacts section. It's your life and your body, so it has to be your
choice. But making decisions about what you do or don't
do to your body is easier once you've got the facts.
FAQs About Smoking
1) How Many People Smoke?
It's estimated that in the UK, over 12million adults smoke.
With young people, the number regularly smoking goes up
with age not many 11-year-olds but perhaps a third of
15-year-olds on a pack of 20 or more a week. Probably more
girls than boys but not a big difference between them. According
to ASH (Action on Smoking and Health), about 450 young people
a day in the UK take up smoking. If they continue, they'll
be the adults at risk tomorrow.
2) If Smoking's Dodgy, Why Did We Start In The First Place?
Tobacco was introduced into Europe about 500 years ago.
It was a luxury for the rich, and didn't become a widespread
habit until about 100 years ago. People (including doctors)
believed it to be medicinal, and even up to about the middle
of the 20th century it was widely thought that having a
cigarette could clear the lungs. Also, like anything newly
available and fun-looking, smoking became trendy and sociable
and a nice thing to share with other people in your leisure
time. It was only really after World War Two ended (1945)
that the health risks started to be discovered. Since then,
there's been a gradual, big shift in attitude, but obviously
huge numbers of the population were already hooked, and
with nicotine being so addictive, smoking couldn't just
be scrapped overnight. Also, a number of powerful people
make huge money from the tobacco industry, so there's been
a lot of reluctance to discourage the habit or even admit
smoking is dangerous. Advertising cigarettes on TV was banned
a few years ago but there are still plenty of other places
where manufacturers are allowed to advertise, including
at sports events which are watched by millions on telly
anyway. Check how many times a day you see a brand name
and you'll realise how big ciggie advertising still is.
It obviously works companies would never spend so much
money on it if it didn't.
3) Aren't Anti-Smoking Groups Exaggerating?
When the Health Authority and anti-smoking organisations
shout about the dangers of smoking, they sometimes sound
over the top. A lot of smokers get enjoyment or comfort
from cigarettes and are not sure whether they want to try
and give up. But all the research points to the same basic
fact: that cigarettes are seriously bad for you, and smoking
them leaves you wide open to all kinds of unpleasant health
risks. Saying they're exaggerating is really a way of avoiding
the giving-up issue.
4) What's So Dangerous In Cigarettes?
Cigarettes can taste good but they're actually poisonous.
Amongst other things, they cause bronchitis, asthma, lung
cancer and heart disease. Basically, a cigarette is made
from the dried leaves of the tobacco plant wrapped in a
piece of paper. Smoke from tobacco contains about 4,000
different chemicals, either as tiny bits of substance or
in gas form. Many of these chemicals are harmful just on
their own; breathing them in all at the same time is obviously
even more dodgy.
The three main ingredients in tobacco smoke are:
*nicotine
*tar
*carbon monoxide
Nicotine
stimulates your central nervous system, making your body
race (like the caffeine in coffee). It goes straight into
your bloodstream, forces your heart to beat faster and makes
you a bit buzzy. Nicotine is very physically addictive.
In other words, you put some into your body and your body
starts craving more. You give it more and it's happy for
a minute then you stub out the fag and it starts craving
again. And on and on, in a vicious circle. Nicotine's as
addictive as illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine. For
this reason, you can feel tense, restless, sleepless and
irritable if you don't have it for a while. This is what
makes fags hard to give up.
Tar
is dark brown and sticky, like the stuff used in roads
and pavements. When you breathe in smoke, the tar clings
to the inside of your lungs and respiratory (breathing)
system and gets slowly absorbed. It has loads of different
chemicals in it including some deeply nasty ones you may
have heard of like arsenic (the well-known poison), formaldehyde,
cyanide and benzene. Tar damages your lungs and can cause
lung cancer, bronchitis and other chest diseases. People
with asthma find their attacks get worse because of it.
Carbon monoxide
is a poisonous gas. It is the same gas that car exhaust
fumes pump into the air. It gets into your bloodstream and
affects the oxygen supply there. Reducing the amount of
oxygen in your blood causes problems in your vital systems
your heart, circulation, skin and brain functions.
Not taking it down (not inhaling the smoke) doesn't mean
you're safe. It still penetrates the delicate membranes
in your mouth and nose and enters your bloodstream. Also,
holding it in your mouth can make you more at risk from
mouth cancer.
5) But I Smoke And I Feel OK
How Are They Hurting Me?
Maybe you feel OK now, but the unfortunate fact is, the
habit of smoking tobacco causes health problems in nearly
everyone who does it. Somebody will tell you this isn't
true, that they know older people who have smoked for years
and are fine. But if they think about it, they'll realise
they know one person who has been lucky while most older
smokers they know have been ill or even died from smoking-related
problems. As with all health matters, some people are more
vulnerable than others to the effects of smoking, but for
most people the risks are still very high.
The chemicals in tobacco go straight into your blood system
and lungs. There they can do a lot of damage that you may
not notice at first but which gradually attacks your body
and sets off or makes worse a whole load of conditions.
Here are some common examples:
*asthma
*allergies
*bronchitis
*bleeding gums
*conjunctivitis
*headaches
*sinus infections
*more frequent colds and chest infections
*stomach problems (including ulcers)
*high blood pressure
*heart attacks
*mouth cancer
*lung cancer
*weaker bones
*a weaker immune system so you can't fight off infection
properly
FACT: In the UK, about 10,000 people every month die of
a smoking-related illness. That's over 300 people a day
dying before their time.
FACT: Researchers estimate that half of all people who continue
to smoke will die because of the cigarettes.
FACT: Giving up fags improves your health chances even from
day one.
6) What Else Do They Do To You?
You have less energy. Cigs affect your breathing and also
the oxygen levels inside your blood, so your body has to
work more just to perform its functions. You get tired more
easily; things become more of an effort.
The smoke destroys the tiny hairs that line your nasal and
respiratory passages (inside your nose and breathing tubes).
These minute hairs help protect your from body from all
manner of dodgy things that are flying around in the air.
Without this protection, the germs/bugs/chemical allergens
etc. get into your body more easily.
Your looks suffer. The poisonous substances in your blood
show through your skin, making it look dull and dried out.
It doesn't matter what beauty products you put on it, the
dullness is from inside. Fags also give you wrinkles too
young. Some interesting studies have been done on pairs
of identical twins the smoking ones look loads older and
more wrinkled than the non-smoking ones, even though they've
got the same genes. Nothing wrong with lines, but you want
them at the right time, and from smiling, not chemicals.
Your eyes can start looking bloodshot; your hair may lose
its condition. (This also happens with passive smoking
see FAQ no. 13 below.)
Smoking disturbs your sleep. The buzz of the nicotine gets
you racing and jittery, like caffeine. It tires you out,
too, because it's taking oxygen, speeding you up but not
giving you any nourishment, but even though you're tired
you still can't sleep brilliantly because of the craving.
You stink. When you smoke, you don't realise how much you
smell of it. Your clothes, your hair, your breath, your
fingers - even your skin - all reek. That's your decision,
but it's good to realise how much of a turn-off it can be
to people who don't smoke.
Cigarettes control you. This is stressful enough in itself!
See FAQ nos. 5 & 6 below.
7) But Cigarettes Relax Me
Regular smokers often feel that ciggies relax them. They
reach for one when they're nervous or stressed and it really
does make them feel better for a couple of minutes. Then
the stress comes back and soon they're desperate to light
up again. It's a vicious circle. That's because of the nicotine
addiction (check FAQ no. 4 above). When someone first tries
smoking, the nicotine gives their system a kick. When the
body has experienced the feeling a few times it starts missing
it and craving it. The buzz from one ciggie doesn't last
long, though, and the person can very quickly feel they
need cigarettes regularly. Needing something all the time
is the opposite of relaxing. It means it's on your mind,
and if you haven't got it you can't concentrate on other
things. It's difficult to relax and enjoy things if you're
waiting for the moment when you can have your next fag.
They end up having a massive control over your life. If
you don't smoke, you don't need the nicotine fix. If you're
stressed about other stuff, cigarettes aren't the answer.
You'd be better finding other ways of relaxing.
8) A Couple Won't Hurt Me, Will They?
For most people, one cigarette shouldn't do loads of harm
on its own, even though it might make you feel rough and
you probably won't enjoy it much. The problem is, the first
cig often leads to a second and a third, even if you didn't
like the first one much. And because nicotine's so addictive,
you get hooked before you realise. Cigarettes start to damage
your insides from the word go. The more fags, the more damage.
Not starting at all is the easiest way. But if you do smoke,
don't think it's too late to do anything about it giving
up is always a good option (see FAQ no. 13 for more info).
Some people say smoking a couple a day or even just a couple
a week isn't harmful because their body can rest in-between.
It's true that light smoking isn't as harmful as heavy smoking,
so cutting down is better than doing nothing. However, research
shows that even a very few regular cigs can do you serious
damage. You also have the problem of being controlled by
the addiction and getting withdrawal symptoms (when your
body's missing and craving the nicotine buzz/hit) between
cigs. Usually, this gradually pushes up the person's ciggie
quota until they're no longer a very light smoker.
9) But I Can Easily Stop When I Want To
As said above, cigarettes are very addictive and almost
everyone is likely to get hooked quite fast. You also get
emotionally dependent when you feel like you need cigs
to make you comfortable in certain situations. Once you're
hooked, kicking the habit is usually not mega-easy. A lot
of people decide they want to give up and do manage to stop,
but after a while find it hard to stay off them and gradually
slip back into smoking. So it's easier not to get hooked
in the first place, but if you are hooked already (or someone
you know is) and you want to stop, check out FAQ no. 10
below.
10) How About Low-Tar Cigarettes?
As health research began to reveal that smoking did terrible
things to our bodies, cigarette manufacturers got worried
that all the warnings would put people off and they would
lose their profits. So they brought out lower and lower
low-tar varieties to try to convince people some fags were
safer than others and that we needn't give up altogether.
Smart idea - unfortunately, it's now been found that low-tar
cigarettes are probably no less harmful than ordinary ones.
They still contain some tar; they still produce carbon monoxide,
and they are still full of nicotine to get you hooked. Manufacturers
often put perforations (tiny holes) in the filter part to
allow some smoke to escape before it goes in your mouth
but the smoker's fingers usually cover these up. Also,
it's been found that because people think they're safe,
they drag (inhale) more deeply and are tempted to smoke
more of them!
11) If It's So Addictive, How Do You Give Up?
If you're already smoking, it doesn't matter how many you
smoke or how long you've been smoking, you can get rid of
the addiction relatively quickly.
It won't necessarily be easy at first, but there are organisations
and methods around which can help you to kick the habit.
The physical addiction to nicotine usually leaves your body
a week or two after your last fag. You may feel restless
and irritable at first and experience physical withdrawal
symptoms, like not sleeping and headaches. This is basically
the body complaining that it's not getting its regular nicotine
fix, but it only lasts a week or two max, and with encouragement
you can get through that. The biggest thing then is to deal
with the emotional dependence on cigarettes the groups
listed below can advise on this.
Not being able to give up immediately doesn't mean you're
weak. Smoking can be addictive emotionally as well as physically,
and you may need to have a few goes before you kick it completely.
On the other hand, you might give it up straight away. Don't
give yourself a hard time about it, just persevere and get
the support you need.
Different things work better for different people, so if
the first method you try doesn't do it for you, don't give
up on giving up. Try something else. By stopping smoking
you're not really giving anything up you're getting rid
of it.
12) I Don't Want To Put On Weight If I Give Up
Some people give up smoking, feel fidgety without a ciggie
and start nibbling things as a substitute. If you eat OK
and do exercise, you'll be OK. Check this out with the groups
listed in Contacts [please link to Contacts list].
13) What About Passive Smoking?
Passive smoking happens when you're not smoking yourself
but you're with people who are. Some of the smoke goes into
their lungs and the rest goes into the air. Then you breathe
in the air with smoke in it.
Research shows that breathing in this smoky air can affect
non-smokers (and smokers). You may cough, get sore, watery
eyes and perhaps a headache or sinus problems and your throat
may hurt. You also stink afterwards!
Passive smoking can also create more serious, long-term
health problems, which is why more and more places are becoming
partly or completely non-smoking.
If you're smoking, be considerate. Be aware of the effect
of your smoke on other people, and try not to blow it at
them. If (smoker or non-smoker) you've been in a very smoky
atmosphere, having a shower/bath can help, as it gets some
of the poisonous chemicals off your skin and out of your
hair before they sink in.
If you're not a smoker and other people's smoke bothers
you, you could try contacting the groups below for ideas
on how to deal with it. Remember, though, smoking is an
addiction and it's not always straightforward for smokers
to stop, even if they don't enjoy being hooked.
CONTACTS
Numbers beginning 0800 are always free. Some other nos.
may be cheap rate for example, nos. starting 0345 are
usually charged at local rate instead of national rates,
wherever you're calling from in the UK. Other calls are
charged at normal rates. You can ask a helpline to ring
you back if it's too expensive.
Remember, if phone calls are not free, they will be listed
on the phone bill, so if you don't want anyone to know,
try to ring from a pay-phone. Most freephone (0800) calls
are not free if you're calling from a mobile.
Most helplines will never ring you back or contact other
organisations with your details unless you want them to.
If you're at all worried that they might, you can ask them
about this when you first speak to them. You do not have
to give your name etc. to a helpline.
There may be groups in your area that can help with info
on smoking and giving up, so keep an eye out for them. Your
library or local GP's surgery should have details.
Below are some well-known national organisations
that you can contact:
Quit
National charity that helps people stop smoking.
Victory House, 170 Tottenham Court Road, London W1P 0HA
Tel: 020 7388 5775
Web site:
www.healthnet.org.uk/quit
>>
Quit (Northern Ireland)
Tel: 01232 663439
Quitline
National telephone helpline staffed by qualified counsellors.
Tel: 0800 00 22 00
(Mon-Fri 1pm-9pm, Sat & Sun 1pm-5pm)
ASH (Action on Smoking and Health)
(an anti-smoking organisation, which can provide facts and
info)
16 Fitzhardinge Street, London W1H 9PL
Tel: 020 7224 0743
Web site:
www.ash.org.uk
People sometimes get angry with someone for being a smoker.
It might seem over the top - it's not like smoking makes
you a bad person or whatever. But it does you no good, either,
and people worry about you getting ill. Fags are a mega-harmful
habit, and there's nothing about being controlled by them
that actually benefits you. Have respect for your body
you can do it.
