Biological Effects and Disease

Respiratory Damage

Smoking has been linked to many respiratory diseases classified as a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), which includes lung, esophagus, and larynx cancers in addition to emphysema and chronic bronchitis. All of these diseases are incurable and can ultimately lead to death. A smoker's risk of developing a COPD is almost 30 times that of a non-smoker. Heavy smoking also causes chronic coughing, over-secretion of mucus, and damage to airways. Tar from the cigarette will clog up the alveoli in the lungs. The alveoli diffuse the oxygen into the bloodstream and if they are clogged, it will lead to shortness of breath and wheezing. Emphysema, an irreversibly serious disease, destroys the alveoli in the lungs, small sacs that make the exchange between the oxygen we inhale and the carbon dioxide we exhale. When many alveoli are damaged, less oxygen can be breathed in and normal activities can cause shortness of breath. In extreme cases, even a minute physical task will cause shortness of breath. A smoker's risk of developing lung cancer is 10 times greater than that of a non-smoker. Lung cancer is developed, on average, in about 20 years. Some symptoms are shortness of breath, chronic coughing, bloody phlegm, and frequent bouts of pneumonia and bronchitis. The risk of developing cancer is also greater if there is a history of cancer. Smoking can also develop cancer not only for the smoker, but also add to the risk for their descendants. Cigarette smoke contains a chemical called benzopyrene, which damages gene-p53. This gene's major function is to clean up any genetic deformities including cancer. If the p53 gene is damaged, the genetic probability of developing cancer rises. Bronchitis is also another health hazard linked to smoking. It causes the airways to swell up and extra mucus and phlegm to be secreted. This can lead to infections of the throat.