Why Give Up Smoking?

 So you have seen all the warnings that smoking is very bad for you. But here's the question: why? 

 What's so dangerous about smoking? Let's check! 

 Tobacco usually consists of three parts. 

 First, there is a cigarette filter,  also known as a cigarette butt. Then there is the cigarette paper wrapped around the tobacco mixture. Tobacco blends usually consist of dried and processed tobacco leaves and petioles. The most important plant for tobacco production is Nicotiana rustic. So what happens when you light a cigarette? 

 Well,  tobacco blends contain over 7,000 chemicals. These chemicals are released in the form of small particles or gases. Next, cigarette smoke flows through the cigarette filter. Cigarette filters catch some of the partially burned cigarettes-also known as the tar. Tobacco filters can capture some, but not all, of tar. Tar is sticky and brown, leading to a characteristic yellow stain. It not only stains the smoker's fingernails, but also moves into the mouth and stains the teeth, the inside of the mouth, and the vocal cords. Tar stimulates the vocal cords and causes people to cough reflexively. When cigarette smoke passes through the upper respiratory tract, it enters the lower respiratory tract. The lower respiratory tract is lined with cilia. Cilia are small hair-like protrusions that you tap to remove dirt and bacteria from your lungs. Hydrogen cyanide is a toxic gas that, together with tar, paralyzes these cilia. If the cilia fail, cigarette smoke can penetrate deeper into the lungs. Several other carcinogenic chemicals found in tobacco, such as arsenic and benzopyrene, also line the inner walls of the airways. Here, the risk of lung cancer is significantly increased. When the main defenses of the lungs are paralyzed, cigarette smoke penetrates deep into the lungs. These are  alveoli or alveoli. Normally,  oxygen is exchanged for carbon dioxide by a transfer protein called hemoglobin. The hemoglobin then carries oxygen to the rest of the body, where the cells of the body use it as fuel. Carbon monoxide is a toxic gas that is also found in cigarette smoke. Carbon monoxide is a tyrant. It knocks out oxygen from hemoglobin and takes its place instead. The problem with this is that these (body's) cells starve to death due to a lack of oxygen because the body cannot use carbon monoxide as fuel. These starving cells send an inflammatory "SOS" signal. However, this flashback occurs because increased inflammation leads to increased mucus production and narrowing of the airways, making breathing even more difficult. Chemicals remaining in cigarette smoke are also absorbed into the bloodstream. This is an important event-blood flow is the highway to all organs in the body. Once these chemicals are absorbed into the bloodstream, there is no limit to the damage they can cause, and the damage caused by these chemicals is no longer limited to the lungs. Cigarette smoke contains many oxidative chemicals. These chemicals are highly reactive and can damage all types of somatic cells. The first thing these chemicals see is the blood vessels themselves. Oxidizing chemicals react with the inner layers of blood vessels, causing inflammation and fatty plaques. These fatty plaques narrow blood vessels. Oxidizing chemicals also damage the blood vessels that supply oxygen to the heart and brain-the blockage of these important blood vessels can kill part of the heart muscle or brain tissue. Myocardial death is known as a heart attack or myocardial infarction, and death of brain tissue is known as a stroke, which can often cause permanent damage. Metals like arsenic and radioactive compounds like polonium continue to invade other organs of the body through the blood. They significantly increase the risk of cancers other than lung cancer, such as skin cancer, liver cancer, kidney cancer, and even bladder cancer. And finally, nicotine, the only chemical that controls them all. None of the effects I mentioned earlier are attractive. So why do people continue to smoke? 

 Tobacco addiction is nicotine contained in tobacco. Nicotine-rich blood travels from the lungs to the brain within 7 seconds of smoking a cigarette. In the brain, nicotine binds to a class of receptors called nicotine acetylcholine receptors. As soon as these receptors are activated, large amounts of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, adrenaline, and serotonin are released. This leads to activation of the brain's reward and attention system. For this reason, some people feel more focused and alert after smoking. Nicotine can also cause a temporary feeling of relaxation by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Nicotine stays in the body for only a few hours. It is broken down in the liver and excreted in the urine. As soon as nicotine leaves the body, the body misses the tremendous amount of noise of stimulating brain messengers running around. Thirsty begins two hours after the last smoking. Signs of nicotine withdrawal include restlessness, fear, frustration, anger, and even insomnia. Each time you light another cigarette, the effect of nicotine diminishes as your brain develops resistance to the drug. Now you need more nicotine to get the same height and your cravings will be stronger. This forms a cycle of addiction. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of other chemicals. I just touched the tip of the iceberg. At least another 250 are known to be harmful and 70 are known to initiate, cause, or promote cancer. Now imagine your brain and body passing through this type of roller coaster every few hours, every day for years. In Australia, smokers smoke an average of 93 cigarettes a week. It costs 4,836 cigarettes a year, about the same as four new iPhones. Besides the increased risk of cancer, there are many other long-term effects of smoking. The collapse of the alveolar wall, also known as emphysema, discoloration and wrinkles of the skin, loss of smell and taste, impotence, and the list continues ... Tobacco is the only legal thing that kills users when used as intended. The drug is the manufacturer. In the United States, a national survey of substance use and health found that more than 95% of smokers started smoking before the age of 21. Overcoming nicotine addiction with tobacco can be very difficult in the first place. So what's the good news? 

 Well, the number of smokers around the world is declining, and with the power of the Internet, the help of those who want to quit smoking is at their fingertips. Due to the combined effects of well-informed young people and stricter tobacco control legislation, one day we may see a smokeless generation. And isn't it a monumental achievement for humankind? If you smoke and even think about quitting, you're halfway there. Make a decision today.