“Smoking is injurious to health” is a common quote found almost everywhere and known by everyone. But the question arises that how many people actually obey the quote and act accordingly. It is quoted that "A cigarette is a pipe with a fire at one end and a fool at the other".

Knowing the injurious effects of smoking, don’t be the fool to try it. Cigarette smoking is addictive and harmful. In a single cigarette, there 4000 chemicals which are highly poisonous and few are carcinogenic (cancer-causing).

Cigarette contains nicotine, an extremely addictive stimulant that causes psychological and physical dependency. Cigarette smoking has been linked to 11 types of cancers, including cancer of the kidney, bladder, pancreas, mouth, esophagus etc. Recent study suggests that smokers are 26 times more prone to die of lung cancer than non-smokers.Smoking reduces high-density lipoprotein (HDL) or “good” cholesterol, increases blood clotting and blood pressure, and significantly decreases the amount of oxygen that reaches the heart. The two most hazardous health effects of smoking are emphysema and lung cancer. Emphysema is a chronic disease which destroys parts of the lungs and results in asthma-like attacks, hyperventilation, and shortness of breath. Lung cancer is the No.1 cause of cancer deaths for men and women, worldwide. Other serious side effects of smoking are back pain, peptic ulcers, high risk of stroke, reduced fertility, cataracts, coronary thrombosis, kidney failure, gangrene etc.

Among smokers, the rate of decline in lung function is three times the usual rate. Breathlessness begins as lung function declines. Eventually, severe breathing problems develop from slow and progressive breathlessness resulting in death. Cigarette smoking increases the risk of periodontal disease which causes teeth to fall out, bad breath and swollen gums. Smoking worsens the general health of smokers. Teenagers who started smoking have a high rate of depressive symptoms and anxiety. Smokers must remember that the smoke released during smoking not only harms them but also their loved ones and also the environment. It is recommended that “Put it out before it puts you out”.