Smoking is the number one cause of deaths from fire. Nonsmokers who live with smokers have a 10 to 30 percent greater risk of dying from heart disease than do other nonsmokers and more young people are killed by parental second-hand smoke than by all other unintentional injuries combined. Smokeless tobacco is not a safe substitute for smoking cigarettes. It can cause cancer and a number of non-cancerous oral conditions and can lead to nicotine addiction and dependence. Many teens have gotten cancer of the mouth, cheek, gums and throat from smokeless tobacco.
Cigarette smoking increases susceptibility to colds and viruses.
The costs of these health hazards are substantial and are, ultimately, borne by family members and. It is now well established that cigarette smoking is addictive. This explains why it is often difficult to kick the habit, though not why people start in the first place. The yearly World No Tobacco Day offers us the opportunity to redouble our efforts not only to help smokers quit the habit but also to stop nonsmokers picking it up. Youngsters are especially vulnerable to starting to smoke cigarettes for various reasons, including peer pressure, curiosity, lowered self-esteem, emotional and conduct problems, and relationship and family problems, among others.