Advisory by Marcus Heng, Guardian Pharmacist
How deadly is cigarette smoking?
Approximately 1 in 10 adult deaths are attributed to smoking worldwide. Every year, tobacco use is the cause of death for nearly 6 million people in the world, which translates to one death every 6 seconds. In Singapore, about 14.3% of the population smokes and approximately 7 people will succumb to the health effects of smoking every day.
Why do people smoke?
There are many reasons why people smoke. Most commonly cited are stress, curiosity, peer and environmental pressure. Once the first puff is made, nicotine, the addictive chemical in cigarettes, takes over and compels the person to continue smoking or face a maddening variety of cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
What are the impacts of smoking on health?
Cigarette smoke contains more than 400 toxins and 43 known carcinogens, including tar, formaldehyde and arsenic. These substances contribute to a panoply of detrimental health effects including lung and other cancers, stroke and cardiovascular disease. Passive smokers also do experience more exacerbation of asthma and a decreased lung function that may be irreversible.