General Information for Smoking
How dangerous is smoking?
Smoking is a deadly habit. Tobacco kills up to half of its users and is estimated that is responsible for almost 5 million deaths each year. Tobacco smoke contains at least 250 substances that are considered harmful and 50 which are known to cause cancer. This poisoning composition affects every organ of the body and can lead to serious diseases and health problems like heart attack (myocardial infarction), stroke, peripheral artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, cancers (larynx, esophagus, lung, gastrointestinal, kidney-ureter-bladder, cervix), periodontitis, infertility and erectile dysfunction.
What is passive smoking?
Passive smoking is the involuntary exposure of a nonsmoker to environmental tobacco smoke (i.e. the mixture of smoke deriving from smoking cigarettes and smoke exhaled by smokers).
Can passive smoking affect my health?
There is no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. It is estimated that passive smoking is responsible for 600.000 deaths annually and multiple health problems. In adults, it has been associated with cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. In infants and children can cause sudden death, asthma and middle ear disease. Pregnant women who have exposure to passive smoking have higher risk for miscarriages, premature births or babies with low birth weight.
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