The Costs of Smoking Essay -- Papers Cigarettes Health Tobacco Essays

The Costs of Smoking Smoking has been an issue for many years. Even though children and teenagers are exposed to large amounts of anti-smoking propaganda, many still do smoke, and will continue to smoke for the rest of their lives, struggling to kick the habit. Smoking has more than fifty illnesses and twenty causes of death associated with it. It has been estimated that in England 284 000 patients are admitted to the NHS hospitals each year due to illnesses caused by smoking (Godfrey et al). These NHS beds could serve a more productive purpose. Smokers have an increased risk of many diseases, including gum disease, diabetes (type 2), osteoporosis and tuberculosis (American Council 1997). However these are not the only risks of smoking. Smokers also have an increased risk of cancer and heart disease. For example, smoking causes over 80% of all lung cancer deaths (CRC Cancerstats 2001). In 1999 22% of all cancer deaths were of the lungs, making it the most common form of cancer. Lung cancer is not the only form of cancer with an increased risk if you smoke; cancer of the mouth, throat, bladder, kidney, stomach, liver as well as oesophageal cancer (gullet), pancreatic cancer, colorectal cancer, cervical cancer, leukaemia and breast cancer. Pancreatic cancer along with other forms of cancer is rapidly fatal and has a low survival rate. This particular cancer has a survival rate of just 4%, and smoking is a direct cause (Boyle et al 1996). For other forms of cancer such as colorectal cancer there is only evidence to suggest there is an increased risk due to smoking, as mentioned in the IARC review in 2002. Coronary heart d... ...start smoking is some of their influential friends do it and they want to be part of the crowd. The other factors, such as relaxation, seem to be more to do with relieving withdrawal symptoms more then actual relief the cigarette causes. References: Godfrey, C. et al. 'The Smoking Epidemic - a Prescription for Change.' - Health Education Authority 1993 'Cigarettes: What the warning label doesn't tell you' American Council on Science and Health 1997 CRC Cancerstats: Mortality - UK. Cancer Research Campaign, June 2001 Boyle, P et al. 'Cigarette smoking and pancreas cancer: A case control study of the search programme of the IARC' 1996 Otsuka, R. 'Acute effects of passive smoking on the coronary circulation in healthy young adults.' 2001 Other Resources: www.ash.org.uk www.bbc.co.uk