SMOKING

Smoking is an addictive habit that kills on average 100,000 people a year. This habit is closely linked with heart disease, lung cancer and chronic bronchitis. Other smoking related conditions are, emphysema, cancer of the mouth, throat, bladder and pancreas, other cardiovascular diseases, peptic ulcers, narrowing of blood vessels in limbs and damage to the unborn child.

There are lots of harmful chemical in cigarettes, (changed into substances that we know)

·        Formaldehyde; used to preserve body tissue,

·        Acedic Acid; vinegar,

·        DDT / Deleirin; insecticide,

·        Napthalene; mothballs,

·        Cadmium; rechargeable battery acid,

·        Benzene; associated with causing leukaemia,

·        Hexamine; barbeque lighter fluid,

·        Carbon Monoxide; car exhaust fumes,

·        Butane; cigarette lighter fluid,

·        Ethanol; alcohol,

·        Methane; swamp gas,

·        Ammonia Bromide; toilet cleaner,

·        Arsenic; poison,

·        Shellac; wood varnish,

·        Ammonia; found in hair bleach,

·        Acetone; nail polish remover,

·        Hydrogen; flammable gas.

TAR

This contains over 4,000 different chemical which harm the smoker each time they inhale the smoke. Tar also contains a carci substance which contains many poisonous chemicals; these clog up the lungs and can cause irreversible damage. Tar also kills the cilia in the lungs, thus causing breathing problems. The cilia is unable to remove the mucus, only by coughing can the mucus be expelled; this can cause narrowing and scarring of the bronchial tubes. Lung cancer is associated with the tar amongst smokers.

CARBON MONOXIDE 

Carbon monoxide found in tobacco is the same gas you would find in a faulty heater, or car exhaust. It is a colourless and odourless gas that can interfere with the ability of breathing. When we inhale smoke, instead of oxygen attaching itself to a haemoglobin, carbon monoxide attaches itself. This deactivates the haemoglobin. Increased levels of carbon monoxide in your blood affect your stamina and ability. It also decreases the levels of oxygen going to the brain. To compensate for the loss of haemoglobin the body produces more, adding an increased risk of blood clotting, and the heart having to pump harder to provide more oxygen.

NICOTENE

Nicotine which is inhaled through a cigarette is highly addictive. It stimulates the heart rate and blood pressure, putting a strain on the heart. Nicotine is absorbed into the blood, and takes about 30 seconds to reach the brain. This slows down the nerve impulses. It also causes platelets to become sticky causing clotting. It also affects formation of low density lipids, damaging the inside of arteries which initiates clotting. Another area that is affected is the smooth muscle tissue, this can cause premature aging.