Effects of cigarette smoking
Certainly, behaviour management is amongst the various realms that walk the talk in various aspects of the modern society. In particular addictive behaviours inclusive of drug and substance abuse have generated diverse ideas from various schools of thought as to what are the causal factors and the consequences emanating from such behaviours. Precisely, factors leading to substance abuse in the form of cigarette smoking are intertwined together making it difficult to sort out into specific causal factors (Goldberg, 2005). Reportedly, every individual smoker has their own unique reason as to why they smoke. Nonetheless, all the reasons share a common theme, reflecting stress as the main cause of cigarette smoking. As such, evidence exists that smoking is commonly used as a stress coping tool based on postulates that it alleviates stress by relaxing and calming the nerves. Speaking of stress, various factors are responsible for its prevalence, particularly in the modern society, ranging from emotional issues to daily experiences. Henceforth, increasing incidences of stress have resulted in constant engagement in cigarette smoking, which causes various detrimental effects to individuals (Bernhard, 2011).
Evidently, cigarette smoking emanating from stress results in reduced body fitness, which may end up to reduced well being of an individual. Precisely, cigarette contains harmful substances inclusive of nicotine (Bernhard, 2011), which interfere with the normal functioning of various body systems including the heart and the lungs thus resulting in reduced body fitness and well being. Additionally, contrary to the postulated believe that cigarette smoking relieves stress; it conversely causes stress to the body itself, due to the shortness of breath experienced while smoking, which then leads to lack of oxygen. This reduces availability of circulating blood to allow for normal body functioning, which leads to decreased fitness and well being and can also result to death.
As a matter of fact, application of smoking as a stress coping tool has resulted in increased incidences of cancer, which is a global epidemic. As such, cigarette smoke contains varied chemical substances (Goldberg, 2005), which damages the body’s genetic material, DNA, resulting in growth of cancerous cells, which are beyond the control of the body. Various forms of cancer are caused by smoke originating from cigarette smoking, which are inclusive but not limited to cancer of the lungs, throat cancer, as well as liver and stomach cancers. Overall, smoking cigarettes is reported to be the significant risk factor to cancer.
Deductively use of cigarette smoking as a remedy to cope with stress caused by varied individual experiences not only predisposes the user to detrimental effects but further predisposes other individuals who are non smokers to the effects of cigarette smoke. Secondary smoking, which entails inhaling cigarette smoke while a smoker engages in the smoking behaviour, predisposes other individuals to dangers caused by cigarette smoke. Children in particular, are more predisposed to the damaging effects emanating from cigarette smoke (Bernhard, 2011).
Precisely, children have smaller and lighter lungs, and hence they are more predisposed to detrimental effects of secondary smoking. Subsequently, the effects of passive smoking amongst children include an increased risk to asthma and worsening of the later, reduced lung growth, middle ear infections, lower respiratory illnesses, meningococcal diseases, as well as sudden infant death syndrome. Evidence further depicts learning and developmental difficulties among children due to effects of secondary smoking.
Based on the cause of cigarette and the consequent effects mentioned herein, behaviour change still stands as an overall factor essential in reduction in incidences of smoking. In addition, causes of cigarette smoking are intertwined hence hindering formulation of resolutions aimed at addressing the vice. Therefore, succinct knowledge on causes of smoking is essential towards the alleviation of the consequences associated with smoking.
References
Bernhard, D. (2011). Cigarette smoke toxicity: linking individual chemicals to human diseases.
New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons.
Goldberg, R. (2005). Drugs across the spectrum. Washington: Cengage Learning.
