I. Health Risks of Smoking for Smokers
Smoking can cause many diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory diseases.
a) Cancer
Tobacco consumption is the direct cause or a contributing factor in many types of cancer. Nicotine, naturally present in tobacco, is addictive but not carcinogenic. However, tobacco smoke contains 7,000 chemical substances, 70 of which are known carcinogens, including benzene, arsenic, chromium, tar, and polonium. These substances promote the development of cancer. Tobacco is responsible for more than 8 out of 10 lung cancers—that is, about 90% of cases.
Other cancers are also caused by tobacco use: throat, mouth, lips, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, uterus. Esophageal cancer is more frequent when tobacco use is combined with alcohol consumption.
b) Cardiovascular Diseases
Smoking is one of the main risk factors for myocardial infarction (heart attack). Strokes, peripheral arterial disease, aneurysms, and high blood pressure are also partly linked to tobacco smoke. Vascular damage may also cause erectile dysfunction.
c) Respiratory Diseases
COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is a chronic respiratory illness that is mainly caused by smoking. It can progress to chronic respiratory failure. At any stage of the disease, smoking worsens the condition.
Other conditions are linked to or aggravated by smoking: gastritis, peptic ulcers, type II diabetes, and periodontal disease (gum disease), which causes tooth loosening and loss.
II. Health Risks of Passive Smoking for Non-Smokers
Passive smoking occurs when a person inhales tobacco smoke from a smoker. Non-smokers are exposed to this risk everywhere. Cigarette, pipe, or cigar smoke poses a danger to the health of non-smokers. It is scientifically recognized that indoor air containing this type of smoke is extremely impure, as toxic substances are highly concentrated. Non-smokers therefore suffer the extreme harmful effects of this form of air pollution.
In 2014, an estimated 15.5% of people aged 15 to 75 in employment were exposed to second-hand smoke indoors at their workplace. At home, 28.2% of people aged 15 to 75 reported that someone smoked inside the home. This figure is decreasing compared to 32.8% in 2005. Among 17-year-olds, 24% reported being exposed to tobacco smoke at home and 62.9% in front of their school in 2017.
Passive smoking is dangerous even during fetal life when the mother smokes during pregnancy or when she is a non-smoker but exposed to second-hand smoke. The risks of miscarriage increase, and the fetus may experience growth retardation.
Non-smoking adults exposed to passive smoking risk premature death from lung or sinus cancer, heart disease, or stroke.
SOURCES
- https://www.tabac-info-service.fr/questions-reponses/04_questions-mises-en-ligne/impact-sur-la-sante
- https://www.medisite.fr/tabagisme-non-fumeur-les-consequences-du-tabagisme-passif.4803415.721179.html
- https://www.santepubliquefrance.fr/determinants-desante/tabac/articles/quelles-sont-les-consequences-du-tabagisme-sur-la-sante
