Majority of the side effects that substance abusers experience result form the various components that make up the substance. Cigarette, as one of such substances, has a variety of constituents that range from “nicotine, tar, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide” (Shopland, 1998, p. 93). Nicotine is a highly venomous and addictive substance absorbed through the mucous membrane in the mouth as well as alveoli in the lungs. A single puff of smoke moves faster to the brain increasing the amount of dopamine thereby causing satisfaction and relaxation of muscles. The acetylcholine receptors in brain increase mental stimuli suppressing appetite.
As a result, a “feeling good” atmosphere is created. Another component is Carbon monoxide, an odorless gas that has 210 more times higher affinity for human hemoglobin than oxygen. Its presence in the blood forms carboxyhemoglobin, the body lacks enough oxygen to function normally. Thirdly, tar, a brown sticky substance still in cigarettes, discolors teeth and fingernails. It contains lethal chemicals, which trigger cancer development such as carcinogen benzopyrene. Lastly, Hydrogen cyanide is another toxic chemical in cigarette that destroys the cleaning system of the lungs. It damages the lung’s tiny cilia (hairs) used for removing foreign particles hence leading to the accumulation of poisonous chemicals.
According to Sukhraj (2007), smoking increases the levels of carbon dioxide in the blood (p. 5). For instance, when breathing in, oxygen passes through nostrils to the epithelium wall of the alveoli where it is absorbed into the blood. At the same time, carbon dioxide is expelled from the blood into the alveoli back into the nostrils, as breathing out takes place. Smoking destroys the alveoli, the air sacs where gaseous exchange takes place leading to reduced elasticity of the blood vessels, which unswervingly impairs the gas transfer. Therefore, the body holds high amount of carbon dioxide and does not take in enough oxygen needed for the tissues.
Smoking affects a variety of organs leave alone the lungs. According to the National Digestive Diseases information Clearinghouse (2006), smoking, not only affects the respiratory system, but also “…the heart, the circulatory system, reproductive system as well as the immune system” (Para.5). The toxics in smoke affect the immune system thus hindering the performance of white blood cells, which play a major role in skirmishing germs, pathogens and diseases. In the reproductive system, it causes erectile dysfunction amongst men, infertility as well as miscarriages and premature deliveries in women. Infants usually report low birth weights.
There exist a positive correlation between cellular respiration and respiratory system. The two processes use oxygen. According to Chira (2010), cellular respiration is the process of oxidizing food molecules, like glucose, to carbon dioxide and water (p.61). Cellular respiration consumes oxygen producing carbon dioxide in the process of the production of energy. Oxygen plays a critical role when it comes to the transport energy to the body tissues. In the respiratory system, oxygen inhaled through the nostrils to the alveoli, circulates into the blood capillaries entering the red blood cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide diffuses into the alveoli from where it goes out through the ventilation process (Davies & Moores, 2003, p. 3) thus carbon dioxide becomes a product in both exhalation and inhalation processes.
As Koop (2004) observes, smokeless cigarettes appeared in the market in 1985 (p.616). He further argues that they are not that safe because they still contain carnogenic components such as tar and nicotine. To some extent, however, smokeless cigarettes or electron cigarettes have reduced risks of acquiring smoke related diseases. They do not emit smoke, which consists of incombustible gases whose effects are dire mostly causing respiratory diseases.
References
Chira, D. (2010). Human Biology. Burlington: Jones and Barlett Learning.
Davies, D., & Moores, C. (2003). The Respiratory system. Elsevier Health Sciences: Philadelphia.
Koop, E. (2004). Reducing the Health Consequences of smoking: 25 Years of Progress. Atlanta: Diane Publishing.
National Digestive Diseases information Clearinghouse. (2006). Smoking and Your Digestive Health. The US: US Department of Health & Human Sciences.
Shopland, D. (1998).Cigars: Health Effects and trends. Diane publishing Darby PA.
Sukhraj, D. (2007). Cigarette Smoking: What it’s doing to Smokers and Nonsmokers. North Carolina: PPI Publishing Company.