Tobacco smoking remains one of the most widespread harmful habits in the world. Cigarettes have been called a weapon of mass destruction, and they have already destroyed more human lives than nuclear, chemical and bacteriological weapons combined.
Ukraine is one of the countries with a high prevalence of smoking. Today, every second man and every fifth woman in our country smokes. In parallel with the increase in tobacco consumption, there is an increase in the level of tobacco-related diseases. Tobacco products and the smoke they emit contain many components that are toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic and can cause significant damage to all organs and systems of the body. Tobacco smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which 250 are known to be harmful, 69 cause cancer and 16 are classified as group I carcinogens.
Smokers are in much worse physical shape than non-smokers. It is more difficult for them to exercise, they have less endurance, etc. Many smokers experience cold hands, feet, or even the whole body, even in warm weather. This usually happens to long-time smokers. All this develops into vegetative-vascular dystonia, since smoking causes blood vessels to narrow and blood begins to circulate more slowly throughout the body and reach the extremities. Smokers are much more likely to suffer from acute respiratory infections, acute respiratory viral infections, and bronchitis. A person who smokes has impaired respiratory mechanisms to protect against poisons and pathogens. When tobacco burns, it forms an evaporation of chemicals and particles in the form of an aerosol, which includes not only nicotine, but also oxidants, carcinogens, and carbon monoxide. Cigarette smoke and its physical properties contribute to the deposition of particles in the lower respiratory tract. This, in turn, causes irreparable harm to the respiratory function of the body. As a result of constant oxygen starvation, an increased number of red blood cells is formed in the blood of smokers, which makes it more dense and viscous.
Tobacco users are not sufficiently aware that electronic devices are no less dangerous than traditional cigarettes. Electronic cigarettes are devices that vaporize and deliver a chemical mixture containing nicotine, propylene glycol, and other substances to the user’s lungs. E-cigarette smoke may be carcinogenic and increases the risk of heart disease, lung cancer, and can cause inflammation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Smoking e-cigarettes is dangerous for people around the smoker. Passive smoking is especially harmful for pregnant women and children.
Quitting smoking is one of the effective and promising ways to improve the health of the population and increase life expectancy. Widely informing society about the harmful and detrimental effects of tobacco on the health of the smoker and the people around him can positively affect the self-awareness of many smokers. Thanks to the good awareness of the population about the health hazards of smoking and the available methods of getting rid of this habit, many citizens strive to overcome nicotine addiction. Smokers should understand that they harm others, first of all - children who live nearby and breathe tobacco smoke. The best thing is not to start smoking at all. Take care of yourself!
Chuhuyiv District Department of the Main Department of the State Service for Food and Consumer Protection in Kharkiv Region