here I am, able to survive despite my gaudy costume photo: 10mpx cg, Wikimedia |
Animal mothers will take it even further, pretending to be hurt or charging a larger animal outright, in order to distract the predator from her den or nest.
In both cases, improving biological fitness may occasionally involve knowingly harmful behavior.
Perhaps smoking cigarettes has a similar function -- it looks cool and may attract the attention of the ladies (or men), despite the overwhelming evidence that it is a potential killer.
Nevertheless, unlike the male bird of paradise dance behavior, smoking isn't universal and it certainly isn't necessary to attract a mate.
In the United States, there is currently a national debate on the dangers of legalizing marijuana (harmful or not, "gateway" drug or not), but, as columnist and former smoker Richard Cohen laments, we have not had the same sort of conversation about cigarette smoking, which is both legal and widely available in most countries.

The latest report provides further evidence of these links. It also expands the list of really unpleasant diseases that are caused and/or exacerbated by smoking to include various forms of cancer, stroke, infections, blindness, gum disease, higher blood pressure, and even wrinkles. That poison-in-a-stick potentially harms nearly every organ in the human body.
In addition to tobacco, which on its own is harmful, cigarettes contain over 3,000 chemicals, including ammonia, arsenic, lighter fluid, and carbon monoxide.
some of the less-appetizing household chemicals inhaled while smoking image: Chemistry in daily life |
If there was ever a time to quit smoking, this is it. Cigarette smoking in the U.S. has declined from 42% of adults in 1965 to 18% in 2012, but it's increasing elsewhere: now, almost 80% of smokers live in low- and middle-income countries.
Despite the U.S. decline, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that over 440,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses, and worldwide, tobacco use causes more than 6 million deaths (600,000 of these are from second-hand smoke - how unfair is that?). Many more experience debilitating symptoms -- from the original lung and heart diseases to liver and colorectal cancer to Type 2 diabetes, to erectile dysfunction to vision loss and rheumatoid arthritis -- that cost an estimated $130 billion annually.
I know, if you are 17 years old, none of this will happen to you. Not now, maybe, but very possibly later.
![]() |
smoking facts and figures (in the U.S.) image: graphs.net |
The World Health Organization reports that tobacco "kills up to half its users", and the life expectancy of smokers is nearly 15 years less than that of non-smokers. As Cohen says, "Tobacco is about the only product you can think of that, when used as directed, can kill you."
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States and elsewhere.
![]() |
smoking ages you, on both the inside and the outside photo: Supercook |
Secondly, exposure to secondhand smoke, which children of smokers live in, sends kids with asthma to the hospital with breathing problems. It is even linked to strokes and heart disease in non-smokers. (BTW, most cigarette smoke escapes into the air, to be breathed in by other, non-smoking people).
If you must consider aesthetics, smoking contributes to cataracts, gum disease, tooth decay, wrinkled skin, and yellow teeth and nails, any of which will put a dent in your sexy appearance!
Now that we know smoking for the killer that it is, some see it as even more of an illicit turn-on (back to the mate attraction idea!). But if you smoke, remember it can impede blood flow to certain body parts...
So why not respect your ancestors, who fought off actual dangers of big scary animals, starvation, freezing cold, and medical care that "cured" disease by bloodletting to ensure that you are here today, by keeping your body -- the only one you will ever get -- and those of your own children out of harm's way?
|
|||
|
I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon.A fantastic presentation. Very open and informative.You have beautifully presented your thought in this blog post. Smoking Diseases
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, smoking by mothers has been shown to weaken the immune system, worsen asthma and cause cleft lips and palates in fetuses. weed mask
ReplyDeleteI would hope it's pretty well known by now that smoking any sort of substance (tobacco, marijuana, spinach leaves) is bad for your health. Stop inhaling smoke!
ReplyDeleteThe science does agree with your comment, Paul -- minus the spinach leaves alternative, which I'll bet has not been widely researched - job opportunity!
DeleteYet smoking can make you aware that you are no longer completely in control of your life, and even offer you a way to reclaim that control.besthookahflavors
ReplyDeleteAsk for referrals. With a bit of effort and time, you can check out Australia's top 10 SEO companies and see if you can afford them.ann arbor seo
ReplyDeleteAll the contents you mentioned in post is too good and can be very useful. I will keep it in mind, thanks for sharing the information keep updating, looking forward for more posts.Thanks Odisha Ration Card Status
ReplyDeleteIs nicotine enslavement more grounded than you are? In the event that you depend on your past experience of needing to stop and not doing it, the appropriate response is yes!Vape Juice
ReplyDeleteAdvantages of smoking end medicines are complex. You will start to see astounding changes in your body. Your feeling of smell and taste enhance, you inhale simpler and your smoker's hack starts to vanish pipe tobacco online
ReplyDeleteSecond hand smoke causes higher rates of lower respiratory contaminations, including bronchitis and pneumonia.cure
ReplyDeleteRather than being scared by committing to stopping altogether, decide to make a commitment to engage in the tasks that can help you quit cigarette smoking more successfully.Fafunesog
ReplyDeleteCigar smoke is commonly held in the mouth for a timeframe and this can put you in danger for contracting oral or throat malignant growth at a higher rate than cigarette smoking. AquaVape
ReplyDeleteTwisted Treats E-Juice is Liquid EFX latest specialty line by introducing hit new flavor – Oooh My Mango that will take your taste buds on a nostalgic ride. Our Oooh My Mango E Juice by Twisted Treats is a sweet mango experience swirled with velvet ice cream and combined in a yummy milkshake.
ReplyDeleteMost smokers who wish to end their fixation feel that they need more willpower to quit smoking. For what reason are we giving a little cigarette such great power that it can rule over our freedom to make cognizant choices in our life?myle pod Dubai
ReplyDeleteOne of the advantages of vaping is that you can control your nicotine consumption by choosing various qualities. On the off chance that you are an overwhelming smoker. Vape Near Me
ReplyDeleteAs an aficionado of the Pirates, I've taken a gander at the Giants, Cardinals and Tigers and figured, for what reason can't the Pirates get fortunate with only one pitcher and locate a better than expected ability or one that forms into a better than expected ability.pirate bay service
ReplyDeleteI am sure you would love this best hookah flavors
ReplyDeleteMost people who smoke who desire to give up their dependancy sense that they do not have enough strength of will to forestall smoking.best smoke testing for sewer companies
ReplyDeletei was just browsing along and came upon your blog. just wanted to say good blog and this article really helped me. big chief extracts
ReplyDeleteTo start with, you might not have any desire to spend a ton of cash on your first buy. Albeit top of the line items don't show high caliber, less expensive items produce a horrendous taste. HOW DO CBD VAPE OILS MAKE YOU FEEL?
ReplyDeleteAn interesting dialogue is price comment. I feel that it is best to write more on this matter, it may not be a taboo topic however usually individuals are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers. Best Vegan Gummies
ReplyDelete