Introduction
In today’s time, cigarette smoking is on the rise not only among elders but also among the younger generation. Cigarette or any kind of tobacco consumption has remarkably declined both the mental and physical health of a human being. It has many detrimental effects and causes unfavorable outcomes to the environment as well as society. Also, youngsters believe that cigarette smoking can help to release stress, tension and relax their mind, which makes them addicted to it and they start consuming it more frequently. Researchers have proven that smoking can lead to multiple long-term health issues among smokers and also affects their family members who stay in constant contact with them.

Consumption of cigarettes has repercussions on the health of non-smokers as well. Many bars, restaurants, offices permit cigarette smoking which presents a health risk among non-smokers, thus turning them into passive smokers. Passive smoking is also becoming a menace in the community as these people spend most of their time with family members, peers, colleagues, or classmates who smoke.
In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in the sale of cigarette packets by manufacturers, distributors, and an equal up-tick in consumption of it. This surge in consumption burdens our health care system wherein the government has to spend a large sum of money to treat people who are affected by the number of diseases caused by such harmful substances.
Causes and Effects of Smoking Cigarettes
There are several environmental implications associated with smoke generated by cigarettes as they release ammonia, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, etc. in the air which are dangerous to the health of near and dear ones along with people around us.
Prolonged intake of cigarettes can make someone addicted to such drugs depending on various factors like duration, the number of cigarettes consumed in a day, and the age at which one begins to smoke.

There is no argument about the fact of how deleterious these substances can be, which can lead to the following consequences in our day to day life –
- Break down of the central nervous system-
- Tobacco contains ingredients like Nicotine which harms the brain and other organs of our body. It can make a person anxious, depressed, irritated, and can lead to sudden mood swings.
- Increased risk of contracting lung and heart diseases-
- Smoking can lead to stroke and cardiovascular diseases
- It can choke and block blood flow to the heart and veins thus damaging our vessels.
- It can also lead to blood clot formation in the lungs and heart.
- It can cause Death-
- More people are dying at a young age due to the consumption of such harmful substances. Prolonged usage is reducing the life expectancy of an individual by at least 10 to 20 years.
- There are many recorded fatalities in both men and women due to increased usage of cigarettes, which signifies no one is spared from its side effects.
- Prone to the rise of skin allergies-
- Cigarette smoking can also cause skin rashes, itching, skin spots, rare efflorescence.
- There have been studies proving cigarette consumption can lead to skin cancer as well.
- In some cases, it can also lead to baldness, early greying of hair, and cracks in nails.
- Damage to the reproductive system-
- In men and women, genital areas can be harmed as well due to its intake because of harmful substances present in it
- It can also cause dissatisfaction among partners, increased levels of stress, and anxiety.
- Long term challenges in infertility-
- Females can undergo problems related to pregnancy leading to miscarriages.
- The health of new-borns can also be impacted, damaging their hearing senses, lack of oxygen and growth, and other physical deformities.
- Men can suffer from erectile dysfunction whereas women can suffer from increased risk of infant death.
- Can lead to Cancer-
- Smokers are prone to several types of cancer which can cause death
- Lung cancer has frequently developed the disease in both men and women
- Usage of tobacco can also lead to other non-treated cancer including blood, kidney, mouth, throat, bladder
- Effects eating habits and appetite-
- People might suffer from starvation and tend to struggle with food consumption and digestion.
- It can also raise cholesterol levels and fats in the human body
- Impact on the Digestive System-
- Excessive intake of nicotine and other harmful substances present in cigarettes can cause changes in body cells which can harm pancreas tissues and can lead to pancreatic cancer
- It can cause risk to senses-
- Smoking can lead to a decrease in your smelling sense and taste. It can also have a drastic impact on your vision and in the worst case can lead to blindness. It can also cause teeth infections thus leading to a pale yellow or brown colour and in the worst case, loss of teeth.
- Effect on Insurance and claims-
- Smokers are the worst impacted class when it comes to insurance claims. Insurance companies use it as a tool to decline your claim settlements.
- There are various cases wherein cases of death, insurance companies do not pay up thus bringing unimagined stress to the family.
To further add to this, it is believed by some that E-Cigarettes or other pipe tobacco products do not cause much damage to our internal system. All forms of chemical substances harm our health. Consuming smokeless tobacco, cigars, pipes, or hookahs are equally dangerous and damages the body and brain.
Having said that, albeit there are various long-term benefits of quitting cigarettes which may reduce the risk of fatalities and other forms of illnesses caused by smoking. This will surely lead to a healthier and better environment not only for us but for others surrounded by us. There are certainly no immediate treatments or solutions to eliminating smoking, however, if a person decides to quit and reduce the intake of several cigarettes in a day, it can surely bring results and improve health with regular exercise and a proper diet.
Conclusion
To conclude, undoubtedly there are numerous reasons why tobacco usage should be avoided and prohibited. The government should ban cigarette smoking in public places like restaurants & eateries, shopping complexes, local markets, that have dangerous effects on an individual and environmental level. Appropriate measures should be taken to create more awareness among people about the side-effects of smoking. Precaution should be taken by non-smokers to eliminate inhaling smoke and should be less exposed to such an environment. Education should be parted among growing adults in terms of the dangerous impacts of smoking on one’s health. Proper guidance and support should be given to the youngsters to not fall in bad company or be influenced by friends and peers. It is significantly essential to keep our environment clean and smoke-free for a better world and well-being.