Health Risks of Tobacco use in Women
Smoking is responsible for increasing incidence of cancer, heart disease, infertility and pregnancy related problems in women. It is also responsible for early menopause in Women.
Tobacco is packed with harmful and addictive substances. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals of which at least 60 are known or suspected to be carcinogens. Some chemicals in tobacco smoke also make up the chemical composition of floor cleaners, insecticides, car batteries, rocket fuel, moth balls, industrial solvents and plastics. Following are the health risks of smoking in women:
- 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths in women smokers can be attributed to smoking. Lung cancer has now surpassed breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer related deaths in women.
- Women who smoke have an increased risk for other cancers, including cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and uterine cervix.
- Women who smoke have an increased risk for developing coronary heart disease (CHD) and fatal chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Smoking and tobacco usage increases the risk for pregnancy- related conditions such as infertility or delay in conception, and birth- related conditions such as premature delivery, low birth weight, stillbirth or even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
- Postmenopausal women who smoke have lower bone density than women who never smoked.
- Women who smoke have an increased risk for hip fracture than non-smokers.
- Using tobacco increases period pains and causes earlier menopause.
Don’t be under the impression that smokeless tobacco products won’t harm you. Studies have shown that long term use of smokeless tobacco products such as dry or moist snuff increases the chances of fatal heart attack or fatal stroke. “No tobacco product is safe to consume. Smokeless tobacco products are harmful and addictive - that does not translate to a better alternative”. This statement has been issued by the American Heart Association.
Side effects of Smoking and Tobacco use
Apart from the above mentioned health risks of tobacco use, both women and men may have the following side effects of smoking and tobacco use:
- Discoloration, stains, and plaque in teeth as well as gum disease (gingivitis).
- Tar stained fingers.
- Smelly and stained hair.
- Reduced sense of taste and smell.
- Sore throat.
- Shortness of breath, cough and sputum.
- Increased chances of colds and flu, pneumonia and asthma.
- Tuberculosis complication.
- Wrinkles and premature ageing.
- Stomach and duodenal ulcers.
- Blocked or weakened arteries.
- Weakening of bones and osteoporosis.
- Addiction or withdrawal symptoms.
- Altered brain chemistry and anxiety.
Smoking in Pregnancy
All forms of tobacco use cause health problems throughout life. But if you are pregnant and smoking, health risks increase.
- Smoking in pregnancy is dangerous not only for the mother but also for the fetus.
- The mother carries the risk of abortion, miscarriage or premature birth. Premature rupture of the membranes is also possible.
- Birth defects such as congenital limb reduction and increased nicotine receptors in baby’s brain are likely consequences of smoking in pregnancy.
- Maternal smoking may have long term physical and mental effects on the baby after birth.
- The situation gets worse if the baby is subjected to second hand smoking or passive smoking from the mother, father, or other people smoking.
Aren’t these reasons sufficient enough to quit using tobacco? So, all ye women who smoke, stop smoking and start living!
