Tobacco
In 1979, the U.S. public
health service called smoking, “The largest
single preventable cause of illness and premature death in the United States.” Tobacco
is the only legal product in the U.S. that, when used correctly, kills
one out of every four of those who use it. Tobacco is responsible for the
death of over 450,000 Americans per year – more than all who die
from AIDS, illicit drugs, fires, car crashes, and homicides combined.
Tobacco leads to a variety of painful and terminal illnesses. The greatest number of smoking-related deaths are from heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Two of the more frightening diseases associated with smoking are emphysema and Buerger’s disease. Emphysema is a progressive disease in which the lungs are slowly destroyed, resulting in slow suffocation. Buerger’s disease, which is characterized by the clogging and inflammation of the capillaries cuts of the blood supply and can result in gangrene of the fingers and toes.
Even if tobacco doesn't kill you outright, some of the non-lethal effects are just as bad. It weakens the bones and is a risk factor for back pain; it causes impotence and premature menopause; it accelerates hair graying, skin wrinkling, loss of vision, and decreased physical capacity. Caner treatment can be painful and disfiguring; a heart attack or stroke can leave you disabled.
You have a great deal to gain by kicking the habit: longer life, more energy, fewer medical expenses – and the air is fresher, breathing is easier, food is more flavorful, money goes farther, you smell better, and so do the flowers.
by Amazing Discoveries