Walking around the streets, at one corner or a bend, under the wild and smiling sun, at a fun spot or bar, name it, you must have seen some puffs of smoke with someone behind with a stick of cigarette.

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Yeah! Smoking. Smoking has been a common practice which has existed for years. It is said that it can be dated back to 5000BC and has been practiced in many countries and cultures. This had made people to develop different perception about smoking. Some speculated that it is a sinful and bad habit/act, some say it is holy, an hazard, has soothing effects and several others. But the act of smoking has been known to have more negative effects on the body and well-being.

The content of what people smoke range from tobacco which contains nicotine, cannabis, opium and others(especially hard drugs). Tobacco is the most commonly smoked substance and contains chemicals which causes cancer. These chemicals are

• tar- which stains the teeth making it brown

• carbonmonoxide- which can cause damages to the body system when ingested in large doses.

• hydro cyanide- which affects the lung cleansing system. This build up of hydro cyanide destroys the cilia tn the lungs that clears or remove foreign substances.

• carcinogenic metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead

• radioactive substances
  
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The presence of nicotine in tobacco have/creates an addictive effect on the smoker. This makes a smoker to crave for more to feel normal which can then lead to withdrawal syndrome. According to the tobacco fact sheet, the smoking of tobacco has lead to and being the lead cause of many diseases such as cancer if the lungs, erectile dysfunction, birth defects, heart diseases etc. Thus has lead to the placements of high taxes on its production by different countries. Have you seen that line "smokers are liable to die young" written on some cigarette packets? Yeah! Those are attempts to discourage its use.

According to some studies, smoking has caused wide ranging deaths and also the lead cause. About 500000 deaths per year is being recorded in the USA due to smoking and its related diseases (Leslie Iverson, why do we smoke, p20). According to Center for Disease Control (2002),an average of 13.2 and 14.5 years of life is being lost by male and female smokers, respectively. Well, the thought of "I don't smoke, it doesn't have to do with me", might come up, but have you heard of passive smoking? Thus is also called second hand smoking. It occurs when you inhale smoke from someone who is in the act of smoking (called an active smoker). Inhalation if thus can affect the body causing diseases and possibly death.

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Smoking is still leading to /has lead to various health complications and long term effects. Some of this effects can also be immediate. It has an effect on various body systems(listed) in the following ways ;

CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM

As I said earlier, the nicotine presence in tobacco alters the mood of the smoker. It does this by energizing the smoker as soon as it gets into the brain. With time, this wears off. Then the smoker begins to crave more and more. Addiction sets in. When there is a firm if withdrawal, the smoker becomes depressed and anxious. Headaches can also set in and cognitive ability is impaired.

RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

Smoking affects the respiratory system causing damages. The lung and its function are affected. I'm this case, there is an occurrence of narrowing in the lungs. This narrowing can affect breathing rate. Also, the clearance system of the lung is impaired (the cilia). This impairment leads to the build up of harmful or poisonous substances. Diseases such as cancer of the lungs, bronchitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) can occur. Children from parents who smoke can be at risk of getting asthma, cough, pneumonia than parents who don't.

CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM

Smokers are prone to increased blood pressure. Blood flow is restricted by the tightening of blood vessels caused by nicotine. This overtime leads to disease of the artery. Also, blood becomes sticky and clots. This can increase risk for stroke and heart attack. Passive smokers should take note as their cardiovascular system can also be affected. They can be prone to risk of heart attack.

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IMMUNE SYSTEM

Your body's ability to fight infections is impaired also. The smoker is prone to many forms of infection and illness lasts longer than normal. Pneumonia is prominent in this case.

SEXUAL HEALTH

Smoking has been known to have an effect on sexual health. The pressure of nicotine reduces blood flow to the sexual organs affecting sex performance. There is occurrence of low sperm count, erectile dysfunction and low libido. In females, irregular menstruation can occur as well as early menopause, increase risk of cervical cancer etc.

Other effects of smoking can include :

• increased risk of skin cancer

• wrinkling of the skin

• risk if nail infection

• disease of the gum

• hair loss

  In conclusion, smoking has become an inherent part of the lifestyle of various people in the world and cultures but has to be reduced if not possibly eliminated as the underlying effects cannot be subdued.