Smoking is the act of burning tobacco and inhaling the smoke, either using cigarettes or pipes, which has become a habit and is done in everyday life. Smoking is an activity that has a negative impact on oneself and those around them. Therefore, if someone has a tendency to smoke, they must stop immediately, because if they don't, it will have a negative impact on their body.

So, what are the effects of smoking on the body?

Don't worry! You will find the answer here! This time, we will discuss the harmful substances in cigarettes and the effects of smoking on the body. Without further ado, here is the complete explanation. Read on until the end!

Harmful Substances in Cigarettes

The habit of smoking can have adverse effects on the body. This is because cigarettes contain more than 4,000 types of chemicals that are harmful to health. Some of the harmful substances in cigarettes include:

Nicotine is a stimulant that can accelerate the transmission of messages between the brain and body. People who are addicted to nicotine generally find it difficult to quit smoking due to the addictive effects of nicotine and the presence of nicotine withdrawal symptoms.

Tar is a sticky brown or yellow residue that causes smokers' teeth and fingers to turn yellowish-brown. Tar can potentially cause cancer, lung disease, and other vital organ diseases. This chemical is only produced when cigarettes are burned, and the longer the cigarette is burned, the higher the tar content will be.

Carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas that is odorless and tasteless. Carbon monoxide produced from burning cigarettes is known to interfere with the delivery of oxygen to the brain, resulting in a reduction in circulating oxygen, also known as hypoxia.

Formaldehyde is a residue from cigarette combustion, in the form of a colorless gas with a pungent odor. This gas acts as a preservative and pest control agent. In the short term, formaldehyde causes irritation to the eyes, nose, and throat. In the long term, it can increase the risk of nasopharyngeal cancer.

The Effects of Smoking on the Human Body

You already know about some of the harmful substances contained in cigarettes. Next, you also need to know the effects of smoking on the body. Here are some of the negative effects of smoking that you need to know:

That concludes our discussion on the contents of cigarettes and the negative effects of smoking on the body. Let's avoid and stop smoking now! So that our bodies are healthier and can be beneficial to others. Don't forget to always check your health at Altius Hospitals!