"Government Warning: Smoking is dangerous to your health," says a conspicuously printed caution in a cigarette pack sold in the market almost anywhere in the world today.
However, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking is still among of the leading risk factors common to non-communicable conditions/diseases such as cardio-vascular disease (including heart disease, stroke and hypertension), diabetes, cancer and respiratory conditions (including COPD or chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma).
Moreover, almost 1000 deaths were attributed to smoking as the second leading risk factor (first is Blood Pressure) according to the 2000 study of the WHO in Western Pacific countries.
Probably, most smokers are either does not know how to read or simply they just ignore the warning.
Studies show that more than 4,000 chemicals are found in smoke and more that 40 of which have been proven to cause cancer. Nicotine, the major chemical content of cigarette, is one of the most addictive and others called it as "strongest poison."
From 1964 to 2002, WHO recorded the following smoking-caused diseases: cancer of the lung, larynx, esophagus, nasal and oral pharynx, kidney, pancreas, ureter, bladder, liver, stomach, cervix (among women), and leukemia.
About one third of all cancer cases are linked to smoking.
Other smoking-caused diseases traced by WHO are: chronic-obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) like emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which are also classified as severe lung damage; atherosclerotic peripheral vascular disease, aortic aneurysm, and diminished health.
In addition, smoking reduces blood circulation and narrows blood vessels, depriving the body of oxygen and increasing the risk of heart disease. It also doubles the risk of stroke and increases the risk for developing cataracts.
And if you think you are healthy and safe from the hazards of smoking because you do not smoke, you are dead wrong. Secondhand smoke or passive smoking puts a person at equal risk as active smokers.
Similar with direct smoking, secondhand smoke has more than 4,000 chemicals according to WHO research. Many of these chemicals are toxic and can cause cancer. You breathe in these chemicals when you are around someone who is smoking.
Diseases and adverse health effects caused by secondhand smoke to adults are lung cancer and heart disease. On the other hand, children exposed to secondhand smoke may suffer exacerbation of asthma, chronic and acute respiratory illness, reduced lung function growth, and ear infections.
Breathing secondhand smoke is not just bad for you, but also for babies. Exposing an infant to it greatly increases the risks of asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis and fluid in the middle ear.
Another study says that women who are married to smokers have 40% greater risk than women married to non-smokers.
So, what more proof do you need? If you want to grow old, not die young and let others around you live longer, quit smoking!
Nicotine addicts may find it hard to stop smoking, but there are many health service providers and advocates against the hazards of smoking today that are willing to extend help for those who intend to quit "inhaling poison." You may start asking assistance in your community or government health centers.
Again, remember the old adage, "if there's a will, there's a way." If you're a smoker, find your reason to quit and focus on saving your life. Your family will thank you for it.