Smoking effects on Fertility

Does smoking only cause Lung Cancer?

Smoking is linked to more than 14 different types of cancers. Lung cancer is NOT the only side effect of Smoking. Smoking also causes cancer of the mouth and throat, voice box, esophagus, stomach, kidney, pancreas, bladder and even acute leukaemia (blood cancer). It also causes heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.

{slider I am a social smoker, hence I am not at risk of cancer.}

No! This is untrue. Studies have found that social smokers were 2.5 times more likely to suffer from lung disease and 8.6 times as likely to contract lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Many social smokers eventually become heavy smokers later in life.

{slider If I use an air freshener or air filter, my secondhand smoke will not hurt anyone.}

More than 7000 chemicals have been found to be present in cigarette smoke. At least 200 have been found to be harmful. Air fresheners and air purifiers only mask the smell of the smoke, and do not reduce the harmful fumes significantly. Most air filters are designed to reduce the larger particles (particulate pollutants) in the air, but they do not remove the volatile organic compounds (VOCs or toxic gases eg acetaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and others). 

If you fail to quit the first time you try, you’ll never be able to quit

On average, it takes 8 to 10 attempts at quitting before a person actually succeeds in breaking the habit. It is never too late to stop smoking at any point in life.

My other healthy habits can make up for my smoking habit

Smoking affects every organ system in the body. Eating a healthy diet and exercising does not reduce the health risks associated with smoking.

Switching to ‘light’ cigarettes will reduce my risk.

Smokers who use “light cigarettes” unknowingly compensate for the lower levels of tar and nicotine by inhaling smoke more deeply or by smoking more cigarettes. Eventually, the same amount of harmful components is inhaled. Cigarettes labelled “natural” or “organic” are not safer than ordinary cigarettes.

E-cigarettes / Vaping is less harmful than traditional cigarettes

E-cigarettes heat nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals to create an aerosol that you inhale. This creates just many harmful fumes that are toxic to the body. An outbreak of vaping induced acute lung disease in the USA in 2019-2020 resulted in almost 2800 hospitalisations and 61 deaths. 

E-Cigarettes / Vaping are less addictive than traditional ones

Both e-cigarettes and regular cigarettes both contain nicotine, which research finds is just as addictive as heroin and cocaine. Most e-cigarette users are also dual users ie they also smoke cigarettes concurrently. Furthermore, you are able to buy extra-strength e-cigarette cartridges which has a higher concentration of harmful chemicals entering your body.

E-cigarettes / Vaping is the best smoking cessation tool

Although they have been marketed as an aid to help you quit smoking, it has not been proven to be an effective method to date. A recent study found that most people who intended to use e-cigarettes to kick the nicotine habit ended up continuing to smoke both traditional and e-cigarettes in the long run. The other danger is that kids who experiment with e cigarettes end up as cigarette smokers in the long term as e cigarettes may be the gateway to nicotine addiction.

Trying to quit smoking will cause me to gain weight and that’s unhealthy

The risk posed by carrying the extra weight is very mild compared to the risk of continued long term smoking. The important thing is to anticipate this effect and to counter it with a regular exercise plan and healthy diet regime.

I’ve smoked for so long; the damage is already done

The damage caused by smoking is cumulative, and the longer a person smokes, the greater his/her risk of life-threatening ailments. Quitting smoking at any age brings health benefits. The other reason to quit smoking is also to reduce the risks posed to loved ones in the family.

{slider Trying to quit smoking stresses me out and that’s unhealthy.}

Though tobacco withdrawal is stressful, there’s no evidence to show that the stress has negative long-term effects. Research shows that smokers who quit tend to eat better, exercise regularly and feel better about themselves. Based on an average smoker, they will be able to save up to $2,000 per year, which is quite a hefty sum of money. They should also speak to their doctor about medications to help counter the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

Air fresheners and air purifiers only mask the smell of the smoke and do not reduce the harm in any way.

Second-hand smoke is composed of both particles and gases. Most air filters are designed to reduce fine smoke particles in the air, but they do not remove the gases.

On average, it takes 8 to 10 quitting attempts before a person actually succeeds in breaking the habit.

Smoking affects every organ system in the body, eating a healthy diet and exercising does not reduce the health risks associated with smoking.

Smokers compensate for the lower levels of tar and nicotine by inhaling smoke more deeply or by smoking more of each cigarette. Eventually the same amount of killing components is inhaled.

Cigarettes labelled "natural" or "organic" are no safer than ordinary cigarettes.

“Benefits of quitting start on the day you stop.”

The damage caused by smoking is cumulative, and the longer a person smokes, the greater his/her risk for life-threatening ailments.

Quitting smoking at any age brings health benefits.

Though tobacco withdrawal is stressful, there's no evidence that the stress has negative long-term effects.

Research shows that smokers who quit tend to eat better, exercise regularly and feel better about themselves.

Based on an average smoker, they will be able to save up to $2,000 per year.

The risk posed by carrying the extra pounds is very mild compared to the risk of continuing to smoke.