ZIMSEC O Level Combined Science Notes: Substance Abuse: Smoking
- In most countries including smoking is legal
- It is also socially accepted
- Cigarette smoke(tobacco smoke) contains a poison called nicotine
- Smoking is addictive
- Cigarette smoke has particles which when inhaled irritate lung tissue
- and reduce the diffusion of oxygen in lungs
- These particles (tar) collects in air sacs and microscopic tubules over period and may lead lung cancer
- Cancer is a terminal illness i.e. it usually leads to death
- Smoke particles may also cause fluids to build up in lung tissue
- This sort of disease is called emphysema
- It leads to breathing (respiratory) problems
- People with the disease cannot get as much oxygen as they need
- Smoking can also lead to bronchitis
- It is a disease where the bronchioles become irritated and inflated
- This is a life threatening disease
- When pregnant women smoke it leads to them giving babies with low birth weight
- Babies of smoking mothers are born with below average weight
- Smoking also contributes to heart disease
- This is because smoke substances build up and block blood vessels
- This leads to increased stress on the heart as it pumps blood
- One such heart disease is called coronary heart disease (CHD)
- This is when the arteries that supply the heart muscle with blood become blocked
- This can lead to heart attacks
- Smoking reduces life expectancy
- It also causes passive smoking
- The effects of passive smoking are the same as those of smoking in the long run
Summary of smoking problems
- emphysema
- bronchitis
- lung cancer
- low birth weight in babies of smoking mothers
- Coronary heart disease
- Turning those around the smoker into passive smokers
- Reduced life expectancy
Possible solutions to smoking
- Passing anti-smoking laws such as:
- Laws that prohibit public smoking/smoking in public or crowded spaces
- Laws that prohibit the sell of cigars and cigarettes to those under 18
- Mandatory health warning labels on cigarette packs
- Smoking tax to make cigarettes expensive
- Sell cigarettes in un-attractive packs so as to dissuade people from buying
- Educating people about the dangers of smoking
To access more topics go to the Combined Science Notes page