Understand the Harm: Health Effects of Tobacco Use

"Every Puff of Tobacco smoke  🚬 Brings You Closer to Illness"

Tobacco kills more than 8 million people every year. Even brief exposure is dangerous. Here’s how tobacco damages your health:

  • Lungs: Causes chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and 85–90% of lung cancer deaths.
  • Heart: Smoking doubles the risk of heart disease and stroke. 
  • Cancers: Increases risk for at least 12 types of cancer, including throat, pancreas, bladder, and kidney. 
  • Reproductive Health: Impairs fertility and causes pregnancy complications like miscarriage and low birth weight.

N/B:

1. Secondhand Smoke harms children and non-smokers, increasing risks of infections.

2. Smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes are not safe alternatives. They also contain harmful chemicals and addictive nicotine.

Unmasking the Tobacco and Nicotine Industry’s Tricks

According to WHO,  the tobacco industry uses manipulative tactics to hook youth and vulnerable populations via  Common Industry Strategies i.e: 

  1. Flavored Products: Sweet and fruity flavors to attract teenagers.
  2. Sleek Packaging: Colorful, trendy designs to make smoking appear harmless.
  3. Social Media Influence: Hiring influencers and using memes to normalize vaping/smoking.
  4. "Harm Reduction" Claims: Marketing e-cigarettes and “heat-not-burn” products as “safer,” despite insufficient evidence on long-term safety.
  5. Targeting Low- Middle-Income Countries): Exploiting weak regulations to increase market reach.

 BE ALERT: The goal of these tricks is lifelong addiction and profit at the cost of your health.

 Proven Quitting Strategies for Addicted Smokers

Quitting is hard — but it’s possible and beneficial at any age.

According to the CDC,your body begins to heal within 20 minutes of quitting.

You can try these Quitting Strategies: 

  • Set a Quit Date: Choose a meaningful date — like World No Tobacco Day.
  • Identify Triggers: Stress, alcohol, or certain social settings — plan how to manage them.
  • Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT):Patches, gums, lozenges, nasal sprays. Help reduce withdrawal symptoms
  • Prescription Medications:Varenicline (Chantix) and Bupropion (Zyban) – reduce cravings
  • Behavioral Therapy:Counseling or support groups boost success rates
  • Digital Tools: WHO’s Florence AI quit coach or CDC’s SmokefreeTXT.
  • Build a Support System:Involve friends, family, or health professionals
  • Utilize Healthy Substitutes:Chew gum, exercise, drink water — manage cravings in healthier ways.
  • Celebrate Milestones: Stay motivated with personal rewards

N/B:  Relapse doesn’t mean failure — it’s a part of the journey. Keep trying. Each quit attempt brings you closer to success.

Say NO to tobacco, YES to health.