“The road to hell is paved with good intentions”—this is how smoking works. Why? We cannot deny that smoking is found pleasurable and comforting by a lot of people, most especially those who have already been used to this vice and perhaps have already considered smoking as a need rather than a want. We see them everywhere—in school, or outside the school gate in case smoking is prohibited inside, outside the buildings or in the smoking lounges, in the streets, clubs, bars, etc. We see them everywhere and the worst part of it all is that we also inhale a portion of what they smoke—which many scientists believe is more detrimental to the health.

To give a balanced opinion as to the effects of smoking, let us look at both sides of smoking. Here are the perceived advantages that people experience as smoking effects:

Perceived Benefits of Smoking

Actually, referring to them as benefits is not likely. First of all, smoking can lead to a lot side effects and health threats and there is no scientific proof that gives smoking a footing. However, many people, especially those addicted to smoking view smoking as (1) a means to cope with stress as it lessens their anxieties, (2) smoking can be a stimulant and increases one’s focus to work and other tasks, and (3) smoking as a means of coping up with friends and social classes.

We can hardly consider these as benefits since these effects are subjective and can also be achieved through other healthier means.

Negative Smoking Effects

On top of this list is morbidity on the respiratory tract. COPD or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is directly linked to smoking, in fact, many people, especially men, above the age of 50 who have been heavy smokers are most likely to develop COPD (includes Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema). Furthermore, smoking can also be linked a number of other respiratory diseases like asthma flare ups, pneumonia, etc. In terms of malignancies, lung cancer is considered as an undisputed topper.

On to the cardiovascular health, the chemicals that we take in when we smoke are various and mostly, if not all, detrimental to health. Smoking causes constriction of the blood vessels, thus most people, after smoking are expected to have higher than normal blood pressure. An increase in the heart rate occurs as compensatory mechanism to this effect and will put strain to the heart. Furthermore, smoking leads to scarring and accumulation of fatty and cholesterol deposits to the blood vessels leading to atherosclerosis and heart failure, if not heart attack.

Why Smoking Is Considered A Threat to Health?

Smoking has been considered as the primary cause of many illnesses—not only in terms of respiratory related diseases, but also in terms of cardiovascular conditions… not to mention that these diseases are the most common causes of mortality today. Apart from that fact, smoking is also related to the occurrence of malignancy or cancer. We have to take note that when we speak of cancer, lung cancer is the number one cancer in terms of morbidity and mortality. Adding to this fact is the growing occurrence of oral and laryngeal cancer, which can also be attributed to smoking.