Five Interesting Facts You Should Know About Smoking

More than 400,000 people have died each year due to smoking, and those numbers are in the U.S. alone. There several diseases and medical conditions caused by cigarette smoking. Smoking is unhealthy and harmful to the health of others too you know. So why can't smokers quit?

Cigarettes and tobaccos contain nicotine, a drug that is very addictive and it can be very hard to quit. That's why smokers can't quit easily. But smoking for big time smokers is like a way of relaxing and relieving stress. But is it really? Here some facts that you should know about smoking. After reading this, hopefully existing smokers would be convinced that smoking is unhealthy and irrelevant in their lives.

• Smoking doesn't relieve stress. Nicotine like any other addictive drug causes the activation of “pleasure centers” in our brain which makes smokers feel happy and relaxed. Smokers usually smoke when they are in an unpleasant mood or under a stressful situation. Smoking can divert a person's troubles for a short time, but it is not the solution to the problems for it rather hides it. Studies have confirmed that smoking provides more stress than it relieves stress. A smoker's perception during smoking is an illusion.

• Smoking is as addictive as cocaine. Though less in immediate side effects, smoking can also be as addictive as cocaine. Only a small percentage of the population of smokers has successfully quit smoking each year. That is how addictive smoking can be.

• Smokers are less attractive compared to the non smokers. Some people have halitosis (a medical condition that is usually called bad breath), yellow teeth and wrinkles due to the fact that they smoke. Also, smokers can have more gray hair and hair loss compared to the non smokers. According to recent studies, it is a fact that smoking does increase hair fall as compared to a non smoker. It is really true that smokers look older than non smokers. So if you think smoking is cool, think again.

• Smoking disrupts your taste buds. Smoking would make food less pleasing to the taste so most smokers end up losing weight. But it is an unhealthy procedure of losing weight; it is not proper and still very dangerous to your health. Proper diet and the right amount of exercise is the best way to lose weight; however, some people find smoking an easier shortcut to losing weight. You might be losing weight with smoking but you will not enjoy the most delicious foods that the world can offer.

• Smokers are more prone to illnesses, injuries and medical conditions than the non smokers. Smoking does not only destroy your lungs but it can also weaken the function of your immune system and may increase the risk of other infections. That's why smokers have a hard time dealing with cough, fever and colds. Smoking also weakens your bones; most smokers find a hard time dealing with athletic activities because they have less calcium than non smokers have. Smoking reduces the bones' calcium absorption.