Show Smokers beware Kelli Griffiths Writer Contributing I J a Smoking is is is' a bad h habit nit th that t can an kill you slowly and it doesn't just hurt your lungs Tobacco smoke has over known poisons which can slowly kill you in a number of ways Did you know that that thata a two-pack two a day smoker shortens his life by at least eight years Even a light smoker is at risk of shortening his life by four years Smoking does hurt the lungs as aswell aswell aswell well as other parts of your body Lung cancer is the leading cause of death in men and tobacco smoke is the most common cause of lung cancer 1 in 10 heavy smokers will be diagnosed with lung cancer and in inmost inmost inmost most of these cases fatal Cancer in inthe inthe inthe the lungs is hard to detect and has been shown to spread quickly and easily to the liver brain and bones Lungs when being in contact with tobacco smoke for large amounts of time lose their ability to take in oxygen The tissue in the lungs loses elasticity and the air sacs within tear This makes the stale air trapped inside causing death from lack of oxygen The chemicals present in tobacco can amplify the risk of other can can- cers Anywhere that comes in contact contact con- con L tact with the the smoke is in danger tl nger 1 1 Lips C cheeks h ee Jf s tongue n fan can an also get also get cancer Sometimes people get lucky and just end up with a disfigured disfigured disfigured dis dis- figured voice box or loose their voice box all together Another problem with smoking is arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries Arteriosclerosis is accountable for most heart attacks but can also cause stroke or blood clots that travel to the brain and cause damage Smoking also increases the gastric gastric gastric gas gas- juices that flow within the stomach stomach stomach ach raising the acidity level This means that smokers generally could have chronic heartburn and the acidity can erode the stomach lining resulting in ulcers Another body part that is at risk is the bladder The bladder is in persistent persistent persistent per per- contact with the poisonous chemicals because they leave the body through urination This could increase the risk of bladder cancer In 1964 the surgeon general released a page booklet about the dangers of smoking With all of the advancements in medical technology technology technology tech tech- since then one wonders how big that booklet is today The ads on TV dont don't lie Smoking is dangerous Chronic bronchitis I SMOKING S WITHIN 25 FEET OF THIS ENTRANCE emphysema cancer of the lungs bladder mouth throat and larynx heart disease stroke and gastric ulcers are just some of the complications complications complications you can plan on if you smoke smoker So the next time you step outside to up light-up consider these things Also consider the amount of phlegm that a smoker coughs up every morning Back in junior high it was cool to see those kids go out and smoke Now it is disgusting When you pass a smoker on campus campus campus cam cam- pus remind them of the dangers they will likely face later down the road Also consider that secondhand secondhand secondhand second second- hand smoke is twice as bad for you as hand first-hand smoke because it contains contains contains con con- more carbon monoxide Be smart smart-don't start and if you already have started smoking do yourself a favor and quit now |