The Effects of Cigarette Smoke on the Respiratory System
A healthy respiratory system is designed to protect the lungs from occasional inhalation of smoke, dust and other harmful substances. Cigarette smoking not only damages its protective mechanism but continues to assault it with harmful material daily. Secondhand smoke carries similar dangers.
Efficient breathing delivers oxygen for cell growth and vital functions throughout the human body. Lungs, blood vessels and airways beset by health problems can’t sustain this equilibrium. Eventually, the respiratory effects of cigarette smoke will affect a person’s overall physical condition.
Types of Exposure
Cigarette smoke has similar effects on the respiratory system no matter how it is ingested. Tobacco users themselves inhale mainstream smoke through the cigarette and secondhand smoke in the air. Breathing any amount of secondhand smoke raises the risk for many health problems. Adults and children can inhale airborne secondhand smoke, and pregnant women can transmit it to their developing babies. Toxic particles that cling to smokers’ clothes and hair can contaminate indoor environments as dust. Children are especially vulnerable to this thirdhand particulate.
- Cigarette smoke has similar effects on the respiratory system no matter how it is ingested.
- Breathing any amount of secondhand smoke raises the risk for many health problems.
Effects on Respiration
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Throat and bronchial irritation occur from inhaling first- or secondhand cigarette smoke. Over time, smokers bronchi and lungs become scarred. Health problems such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema can set in, severely restricting respiration. These breathing obstructions prevent adequate oxygen from entering the bloodstream to the heart. Atherosclerosis due to smoking can also narrow the pulmonary blood vessels that carry oxygenated blood to the heart. This further reduces the amount of oxygen being pumped throughout the body.
- Throat and bronchial irritation occur from inhaling first- or secondhand cigarette smoke.
- Health problems such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema can set in, severely restricting respiration.
Effects on Immunity
Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 carcinogens. A daily dose raises smokers’ risks for respiratory system cancers, until the chances of developing lung cancer are 20 times greater than the norm. Smoking is known to cause cancer of the mouth, larynx, throat, blood and lungs.
Identification
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Symptoms of respiratory system irritation from first- or secondhand smoke include coughing, wheezing, phlegm and shortness of breath. Respiratory decline may be indicated by frequent infections such as acute bronchitis and pneumonia. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by a daily “smoker’s cough,” while emphysema’s hallmark is difficulty in exhaling.
Warning
Because respiratory health problems come on slowly, people affected by cigarette smoke may not seek treatment until serious disease has developed. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which both can cause death, can also lead to heart failure and other potentially fatal cardiopulmonary conditions.
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References
- U.S. Surgeon General: Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke
- A Report of the Surgeon General: The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke
- American Lung Association: COPD
- U.S. Surgeon General: Smoking Health Effects FAQs
- National Institutes of Health: Tobacco Carcinogenesis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Lung Cancer -- What Are the Risk Factors?
- National Cancer Institute. Harms of cigarette smoking and health benefits of quitting. Updated December 2017.
- Stanford Children’s Hospital. Breathing problems.
- El-ardat MA, Izetbegovic S, El-ardat KA. Effect of cigarette smoking in pregnancy on infants anthropometric characteristics. Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):186-7. doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.186-187
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Infant mortality. Updated March 2019.
- National Cancer Institute. Secondhand Tobacco Smoke (Environmental Tobacco Smoke). Updated February 2019.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Secondhand smoke (SHS) facts. Updated January 2018.
- Cinar N, Dede C, Cevahir R, Sevimli D. Smoking status in parents of children hospitalized with a diagnosis of respiratory system disorders. Bosn J Basic Med Sci. 2010;10(4):319-22. doi:10.17305/bjbms.2010.2679
- Jacob P, Benowitz NL, Destaillats H, et al. Thirdhand Smoke: New Evidence, Challenges, and Future Directions. Chem Res Toxicol. 2017;30(1):270-294. doi:10.1021/acs.chemrestox.6b00343
- American Cancer Society. Secondhand Smoke.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2010 Surgeon General's Report: How Tobacco Smoke Causes Disease.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Secondhand Smoke Factsheet.
- U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Surgeon General Reports. The Health Consequences of Involuntary Exposure to Tobacco Smoke. Health Effects of Secondhand Smoke in Children.
- United States Environmental Protection Agency. Health Effects of Exposure to Secondhand Smoke.
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Writer Bio
Nancy Clarke began writing in 1988 after achieving her Bachelor of Arts in English and has edited books on medicine, diet, senior care and other health topics. Her related affiliations include work for the American Medical Association and Oregon Health Plan.