Effect Of Tobacco Use Gideon Aryertey Embry Riddle Aeronauti

Effect of Tobacco Use Gideon Aryertey Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

Over decades, many individuals have been using tobacco without being aware of its harmful effects. For instance, in the U.S., the rate of cigarette smoking increased immensely in the early twentieth century due to the invention of the cigarette rolling machine and increased advertising of tobacco products. As a result, cigarette smoking expanded regardless of opposition from religious leaders or other groups. Tobacco consumption tends to peak among individuals aged 20 to 40, with statistically higher consumption rates among males compared to females. Additionally, African-Americans exhibit a higher smoking rate (16.7%) than the national average (16.6%), with mixed race individuals and American Indian/Alaska Natives having even higher rates, highlighting a significant public health issue.

The harmful effects of tobacco are extensive, contributing to numerous diseases such as lung cancer, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and addiction. Tobacco use has caused millions of deaths worldwide, with the U.S. alone attributing about 30% of cancer-related deaths to tobacco, predominantly lung cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer mortality in both youth and adults (Addicott, Sweitzer & McClernon, 2018). Lung cancer damages the cells responsible for fighting the disease and hampers the overall functioning of vital organs. Besides lung cancer, tobacco use is linked to cancers of the mouth, esophagus, larynx, liver, kidney, bladder, cervix, stomach, pancreas, and colon (Ebbert, Elrashidi & Stead, 2015). Annually, around 7,300 nonsmokers die from lung diseases attributed to tobacco exposure, emphasizing the pervasive health risks.

Research indicates that even smoking as few as five cigarettes per day can lead to signs of various diseases and vascular damage, as blood vessels become thickened and narrowed, impeding blood flow. This process increases the risk of heart disease, which is a leading cause of death globally (Gilreath et al., 2016; Landin et al., 2017). Nicotine, the primary addictive chemical in tobacco, is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream and stimulates dopamine release in the brain, reinforcing addictive behaviors (Lee et al., 2015). The addictive nature of nicotine complicates efforts to quit smoking and necessitates comprehensive intervention strategies.

Paper For Above instruction

The profound health implications associated with tobacco use underpin the urgent need for effective prevention and cessation strategies. Tobacco consumption remains a significant public health challenge worldwide, leading to preventable morbidity and mortality. Understanding the multifaceted effects of tobacco, including its chemical composition, addictive potential, and the broad spectrum of associated diseases, provides critical insight into why society must intensify efforts to combat its use. This paper explores the health consequences of tobacco, the demographic disparities in smoking prevalence, and the importance of comprehensive public health strategies to reduce tobacco-related diseases.

One of the most devastating health effects of tobacco is lung cancer, which accounts for a major portion of cancer mortality globally. Carcinogens present in tobacco smoke damage the DNA within lung cells, leading to uncontrolled cell growth. The WHO estimates that tobacco causes over 8 million deaths annually, with the majority attributable to direct smoking and a significant portion from exposure to secondhand smoke (WHO, 2022). The link between smoking and lung cancer has been extensively documented, with studies demonstrating a dose-response relationship where increased cigarette consumption correlates with higher cancer risk (Addicott, Sweitzer & McClernon, 2018).

Beyond lung cancer, tobacco use significantly increases the risk of developing other cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, esophagus, liver, pancreas, and bladder. The carcinogenic compounds in tobacco smoke, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nitrosamines, damage cellular DNA across various tissues, contributing to tumor formation (Ebbert, Elrashidi & Stead, 2015). The diversity of tobacco-related cancers underscores the importance of cessation efforts, as reducing tobacco consumption can greatly mitigate the risk of multiple malignancies.

Cardiovascular diseases are another major consequence of tobacco use. Nicotine and other chemicals in tobacco induce vasoconstriction and promote atherosclerosis, leading to hypertension, reduced blood flow, and increased risk of heart attack and stroke. Research reveals that even low levels of smoking—around five cigarettes daily—are sufficient to cause vascular damage, highlighting the danger even for light smokers (Gilreath et al., 2016; Landin et al., 2017). These pathophysiological changes impair organ function and contribute substantially to global mortality rates from cardiovascular conditions.

The addictive properties of nicotine are central to tobacco's persistence in society. Nicotine stimulates the brain's reward pathways by increasing dopamine levels, reinforcing smoking behaviors and complicating cessation efforts. The cycle of addiction is challenging to break, necessitating a combination of behavioral interventions, pharmacotherapy, and policy measures such as taxation and advertising restrictions (Lee et al., 2015). Effective public health programs aim to raise awareness about the risks and provide resources for quitting, which can significantly decrease tobacco use prevalence.

Efforts to reduce tobacco-related harms extend beyond individual interventions. Policies such as increasing taxes on tobacco products, banning advertising, implementing smoking bans in public places, and restricting sales to minors have demonstrated success in decreasing smoking rates (Levy et al., 2016). Additionally, public health campaigns emphasizing the health risks and promoting cessation aid accessibility are vital components of comprehensive tobacco control strategies (McNeill et al., 2017). International cooperation and adherence to treaties like the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control further strengthen efforts to combat tobacco use worldwide.

Despite these measures, challenges remain. Sociocultural factors, targeted marketing by tobacco companies, and disparities among different demographic groups complicate eradication efforts. For example, higher smoking rates among certain racial and socioeconomic groups highlight the need for tailored interventions. Moreover, emerging nicotine delivery systems such as e-cigarettes and hookahs present new public health considerations, necessitating ongoing regulation and research (Gilreath et al., 2016). The dynamic landscape of tobacco use demands adaptive strategies that address both traditional and novel tobacco products.

In conclusion, tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable disease and death globally. Its detrimental health effects—including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, and addiction—necessitate robust public health responses. Implementing comprehensive strategies that encompass policy, education, cessation programs, and international cooperation can significantly reduce tobacco consumption and its health burden. Continued research and adaptation to emerging tobacco products are essential to sustain progress in tobacco control efforts, ultimately saving lives and improving population health worldwide.

References

• Addicott, M. A., Sweitzer, M. M., & McClernon, F. J. (2018). The Effects of Nicotine and Tobacco Use on Brain Reward Function: Interaction With Nicotine Dependence Severity. Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
• Ebbert, J. O., Elrashidi, M. Y., & Stead, L. F. (2015). Interventions for smokeless tobacco use cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10).
• Gilreath, T. D., Leventhal, A., Barrington-Trimis, J. L., Unger, J. B., Cruz, T. B., Berhane, K., ... & Pentz, M. A. (2016). Patterns of alternative tobacco product use: emergence of hookah and e-cigarettes as preferred products among youth. Journal of Adolescent Health, 58(2).
• Landin, M., Kubasiak, J. C., Schimpke, S., Poirier, J., Myers, J. A., Millikan, K. W., & Luu, M. B. (2017). The effect of tobacco use on outcomes of laparoscopic and open inguinal hernia repairs: a review of the NSQIP dataset. Surgical Endoscopy, 31(2).
• Lee, Y. O., Hebert, C. J., Nonnemaker, J. M., & Kim, A. E. (2015). Youth tobacco product use in the United States. Pediatrics, 135(3).
• Levy, D. T., Mays, D., Boyle, R. G., Tam, J., & Chaloupka, F. J. (2016). The effect of tobacco control policies on US smokeless tobacco use: a structured review. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 20(1), 3-11.
• McNeill, A., Gravely, S., Hitchman, S. C., Bauld, L., Hammond, D., & Hartmann-Boyce, J. (2017). Tobacco packaging design for reducing tobacco use. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (4).
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2022). Tobacco fact sheet. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/tobacco