World No Tobacco Day: How Tobacco Causes Long Term Harm

Long-term exposure to second-hand smoke causes lung cancer, coronary heart disease and cardiac death. Non-smokers who live with smokers are at increased risk of coronary heart disease by 25%-30% and lung cancer by 20%-30%. (Image Source: Getty)

Each puff of cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 compounds, at least 60 of which are known carcinogens(cancer-causing agents). Benzene, formaldehyde, aromatic amines, nitrosamines, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are a few of these. (Image Source: Getty)

The effects are seen not only in smokers but in individuals who are in close proximity in most cases family and friends. Inhaling second-hand smoke by being in close proximity to someone who is smoking is also extremely harmful. (Image Source: Getty)

Lung cancer, for which smoking is the primary risk factor, is one of the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women. The process of carcinogenesis in the lungs due to tobacco smoke is multifactorial. (Image Source: Getty)

Tobacco smoke not only directly damages DNA but also causes oxidative stress and persistent inflammation in lung tissues. Tobacco smoking also weakens the body's immunological system. The immunosuppressive properties of tobacco smoke reduce the effectiveness of T lymphocytes, which are essential for recognizing and eliminating cancer cells. Smoking has been directly associated with almost 18 types of cancers, including head and neck cancers, leukemia, and cancers of the esophagus, bladder, pancreas, kidney, liver, stomach, colorectum, cervix, uterus, and ovaries. (Image Source: Getty)

Inputs by: Dr. Prathyush V Consultant Medical and Hemato Oncologist, Apollo Clinic, HSR Layout (Image Source: Getty)