Interesting Smoking Facts

ABOUT 100,000 PEOPLE IN THE UK DIE EACH YEAR DUE TO SMOKING 5 DISEASES THAT ARE CAUSED BY OR ARE MADE WORSE FROM SMOKING: LUNG CANCER About 30,000 people in the UK die from lung cancer each year. More than 8 in 10 cases are directly related to smoking. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE About 25,000 people in the UK die each year from this serious lung disease. More than 8 in 10 of these deaths are directly linked to smoking. HEART DISEASE This is the biggest killer illness in the UK. About 120,000 people in the UK die each year from heart disease. About 1 in 6 of these is due to smoking. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Smoking is known to be a risk factor for developing rheumatoid arthritis. One research study estimated that smoking is responsible for about 1 in 5 cases of rheumatoid arthritis. OTHER CANCERS of the mouth, nose, throat, larynx, gullet (oesophagus), pancreas, bladder, cervix, blood (leukaemia), and kidney are all more common in smokers. TOP 5 HARMFUL CHEMICALS IN CIGARETTES CYANIDE Used by the Nazi's in their concentration camps during World War 2 (in the form of hydrogen cyanide), Cyanide is one of the most deadly poisons in the world. ARSENIC Arsenic is commonly used in traps to kill rodents by dehydration. DDT DDT is a very well known synthetic pesticide still used in various parts of the world. CARBON MONOXIDE Carbon monoxide kills by asphyxiation – it replaces oxygen in the blood stream with CO molecules. FORMALDEHYDE Formaldehyde is a liquid commonly used for preserving dead tissue. It is also highly poisonous, causing intestinal and major organ disruption. TIMELINE OF HEALTH BENEFITS OF QUITTING AFTER 72 HOURS Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase. AFTER 1 MONTH Skin appearance improves, owing to improved skin perfusion. AFTER 3-9 MONTHS Cough, wheezing, and breathing problems improve and lung function increases by up to 10%. AFTER 1 YEAR Risk of a heart attack falls to about half that of a smoker. AFTER 10 YEARS Risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a smoker. AFTER 15 YEARS Risk of heart attack falls to the same level that it would be for someone who has never smoked. SOURCES http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Smoking-The-Facts.htm http://www.articlesbase.com/quit-smoking-articles/top-5-most-deadly-cigarette-chemicals-1073593.html