Up in Green Smoke: E-cigarettes Evade Pollution from Toxins Found in Traditional Cigarettes

When most people think of the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes, they typically only take into account the smoker. However, the deadly toxins evaded from secondhand smoke in cigarettes are just as deadly. A cleaner, safer alternative to smoking has millions questioning quitting the deadly habit, as well as benefiting those around them and the environment.

The Risks Associated with Secondhand Smoke

Secondhand smoke is similarly dangerous to non-smokers as it is to those inhaling the toxic carcinogens. Secondhand smoke delivers over 4,000 toxic substances to a passive smoker. Known as environmental tobacco smoke, the carcinogenic compounds and inhalation of the smoke hospitalizes approximately 15,000 children per year in the United States. The Environmental Protection Agency conducted numerous studies showing that secondhand smoke causes lung cancer in passive smokers. This passive smoking causes the death of over 3,000 lung cancer patients each year who have never smoked a cigarette day in their life.

The continuous exposure to secondhand smoke also heightens the risk of heart disease, especially in women. Children are especially more susceptible to secondhand smoke, because their bodies are still developing and have elevated breathing rates than adults. A household where the parents smoke around their children can trigger asthma symptoms that were nonexistent prior to the presence of secondhand smoke.  In infants, the risk of sudden infant death is heightened by secondhand smoke. Children under the age of six years are at an increased risk for respiratory problems such as pneumonia or bronchitis and ear infections.

The smoke that is projected from cigarette smokers increases the risk of cardiac disease by 30% and is held accountable for over 35,000 deaths in the United States each year. The government has made valuable efforts in preventing these deaths through reduced exposure programs such as the Clean Indoor Air Act. In California alone, a similar Act has been associated with saving the lives of over 59,000 non-smokers between 1989 and 1997, as well as a decrease in hospital admissions linked to acute myocardial infarction.

One would think that passive smokers have a very low chance of acquiring the same health problems as smokers.  While the dosage of smoke being delivered to non-smokers is 100 times less than what the smoker inhales, the health problems associated with smoking have similar diagnosis rates. The risk of heart disease in a smoker is 1.78 compared to 1.31 in a non-smoker that inhales cigarette smoke passively. These numbers are close in proximity.

A Cleaner Alternative

The toxins in traditional cigarettes are linked to millions of deaths globally on an annual basis. The secondhand smoke evaded from them also accounts for unnecessary deaths each year. While quitting smoking is one of the hardest habits to deter, a new product offers ease in the process. Electronic cigarettes, booming universally, are helping thousands of quit smoking. Beyond the beneficial health aspects to the smoker themselves (electronic cigarettes are a concoction of water vapor, nicotine and flavoring), the smoke evaded from them is purely water vapor. There are no toxic chemicals or compounds that harm passive smokers when they inhale.

By eliminating the 4,000 plus toxic compounds emitted from traditional cigarettes, electronic cigarettes are becoming more beneficial to a smoker’s and non-smoker’s health, as well as eliminating the pollution of the environment.     

Clinical Trials to be Performed by the American Association for Cancer Research Regarding Tobacco as a Carcinogen

It is understood worldwide that tobacco kills millions of people per year. However, despite this awareness and knowledge, the World Health Organization predicts that the death toll caused by tobacco usage will increase by 2030. Currently tobacco use kills an average of five million people per year globally.

Reasoning for the Research

While the cure for cancer is still an ongoing battle with researchers, studies have shown that cancer is not one, single disease. In fact, cancer is a combination of over 200 various diseases. This makes the search for a cure even more challenging, because it is nearly impossible to identify epigenetic and genetic alterations within a tumor. Tumors that are the result of tobacco carcinogens make things even more difficult to identify the biological mechanisms of the tumor. This results in the fact that tobacco carcinogens are activated metabolically in genes that bind to DNA. This then mutates in important gene growth, resulting in aggressive tumors.

The American Association for Cancer Research and numerous oncology departments are providing tobacco cessation treatment for patients suffering from cancer or those being screened for it. Cessation treatment options are not commonly found presently in oncology centers, and the AACR is fighting for that to change.

The research will provide key, cement correlation that links tobacco use with the form of cancer being treated or possibly diagnosed. Current research shows that patients that continue tobacco use during and after treatment can lead to worsened health effects such as renewed tumor growth or mortality.  The AACR is adamantly stating that without an increase in cessation programs, patients will be likely to return to their habit and form new malignancies or even suffer from premature death.

While research has shown that 90 percent of oncologists believe tobacco is a carcinogen, only 40 percent regularly provide their patients with cessation programs. The AACR is trying to combat that by promoting oncology centers to seriously take part in their patient’s overall treatment and health.

Tobacco as a Carcinogen

Tobacco, consumed in any form, has carcinogenic factors. In 1964, the United States Surgeon General reported on smoking and health. There was a determined relationship between lung cancer and smoking. The link comes from the over 5,000 chemical toxins found in tobacco cigarettes, 60 of which have been identified as carcinogenic. Tobacco usage is linked to causing cancer in at least 18 different organs in the human body. In the United States alone, tobacco causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths and 87 percent of all lung cancer deaths. That’s close to 20,000 lives lost due to cancer caused by tobacco. 

Smoking is an unbelievably challenging habit to kick. Even those diagnosed with cancer and treat the illness go back to the habit at rates of 40 to 60 percent of patients. Determining a method on how to quit and having a support system is the most important thing a smoker can do. Utilizing such nicotine products as electronic cigarettes or nicotine patches can assist a smoker in successfully quitting the habit. Eradicating the harmful toxins and carcinogenic factors of cigarettes through nicotine substitutes will save the lives of millions of smokers in the next decade.

New York to Impede Stiff Laws on Smokers

New York City is trying to reform their public health measures by changing the age to purchase cigarettes from 18 to 21 years old. While many are in favor of the change stating that young people will be more deterred from taking up smoking, others such as retailers and tobacco shops are unhappy with the proposal.

Reforming Public Health

The idea behind increasing the age to purchase cigarettes stems from the idea that younger children and teenagers in high school will be less prone to smoking. The city’s health commissioner, Dr. Thomas Farley, stated that other cities have been highly successful in decreasing the number of young people that smoke by increasing the purchasing age. In Needham, Massachusetts the age to purchase cigarettes was changed to 21 years old. A month later, the number of high school students that reportedly smoked went down to 5.5 percent from 12.9 percent. Also, in England when the age was increased to 18 from 16 in 2007, high school students that smoked dropped 30 percent. Those that support the proposal, including Dr. Farley, state that many people becoming addicted to cigarettes around the age of 21 when drinking accompanies it. If the age to purchase cigarettes changed to 21, however, younger people would be less likely to start to become addicted to smoking at 18 years old.

Mayor Bloomberg is adamant to deter young people from smoking and to promote good, overall public health. Restaurants and bars have been non-smoking for a long period of time now; however, the mayor has also added parks, beaches and plazas to the list to ensure secondhand smoke is minimal throughout the city. The question of whether these bans are working or not are crucial to understand if increasing the purchasing age would help as well. Statistics have shown that in 2002, the city entailed over 20,000 high school students that reportedly smoked, which was 21.5 percent of public high school students. That number declined to 14.8 percent in 2011, which shows that something is already working to deter youth in New York City from smoking.

Other public health reforms have taken place throughout the city as well. Recently, Mayor Bloomberg has banned trans fats in all restaurants and required them to post calorie totals. The administration for the city is trying to get back public health after numerous studies showed high rates of obesity and poor health.

A Boom in the Black Market

Those opposed to the proposition state that even if 18 year olds are unable to purchase cigarettes, they will still get their hands on them. Nicotine is one of the most addictive drugs in the world and simply increasing the age to purchase cigarettes will not help someone quit. In fact, many high school students state that even when they were 15 or 16 years old they still found ways to purchase cigarettes. The age increase may only harm the city’s economy by putting emphasis on bootlegging and the black market.

Retailers are also concerned about the proposal stating that there are already too many restrictions on tobacco and alcohol products citywide. A recent proposition from the mayor was to try and hide all tobacco products in retailers; however, this would have been a harmful blow to newsstands who already have limited space to sell their products. Raising the age to buy cigarettes to 21 years will only drive 18 year olds to the black market rather than legally buying them from retailers. This will in turn hurt many small business owners throughout the city.

In the debate regarding an increase in purchasing age to 21 years old, the question arises on related products such as electronic cigarettes. Since the product is relatively new and its health effects unknown, there has been substantial debates regarding an age limit on purchasing them. Since Mayor Bloomberg is adamant about numerous other bans, most recently a proposal for a ban on super-sized sodas, electronic cigarettes are probably next in line after the age to purchase cigarettes is increased. 

Most Addicting Drugs: Caffeine vs. Nicotine

When most people think of an addicting drug they think heroine, cocaine and even tobacco cigarettes. Yet, the two most addicting drugs in the world happen to be commonly consumed. Caffeine, found in drinks worldwide and nicotine, found in cigarettes and new electronic cigarettes can be purchased and consumed on a daily basis. Yet, the effects between caffeine and nicotine vary from person to person and depending on consumption can vary in addictiveness.

Where They Derive and Their Effects

Both substances are considered to be stimulants. They are known to cause an increase in heart rate and other bodily functions become more rapid. They are also both addictive in nature and tend to be easily habit-forming. Nicotine is found in tobacco products such as cigarettes, snuff, pipe tobacco and cigars. It is also now known to be in the increasingly popular electronic cigarette, although that is based on the buyer’s choice of adding it to the product. Nicotine is derived from the tobacco plant, but in pure form is not as toxic as the chemicals linked to cigarettes. Like nicotine, caffeine is derived from a plant. It is derived from the cocoa plant which in turn is used to make coffee, tea, chocolate and yerba mate. It is also an additive in pain relievers, allergy medicines, energy drinks, soda and weight loss pills or products.

As previously stated, both substances are stimulants. They intensify feelings of energy and vitality when consumed. Caffeine is known to battle fatigue and enhances concentration and focus. It is also known to constrict blood vessels that help alleviate allergy symptoms. Caffeine, when taken in high dosages, can cause insomnia, nausea and an increased heart rate. Nicotine, on the other hand, can cause different effects on each person. It is most known to give a sense of stress relief, but it too constricts blood vessels and increases the heart rate. It can also lead to the suppression of one’s appetite, cause dry mouth and nausea. Nicotine is known to be the most addictive drug in the world and when a smoker or consumer of the substance tries to withdraw from usage can suffer severe withdrawal symptoms.

Health Risks and Combination

Alone, nicotine constitutes multiple health risks, especially when smoked in tobacco form. The most common risks from pure nicotine, however, include dizziness, nausea and agitation. There are also studies that show a link between nicotine usage and high blood pressure. Like nicotine, caffeine health risks are minimal. When taken in moderation, it can cause urinary tract irritation due to bladder spasms in highly sensitive individuals. It can also cause high blood pressure and is linked to insomnia in many.

When the two are mixed is when doctors see more health problems arise. The combined stimulant effect causes a rapid increase in blood pressure and strains the cardiovascular region. Individuals that have a history of heart disease or other cardiovascular issues should refrain from taking the two together. In some cases, individuals have to abstain from both substances separately.

While nicotine is exceedingly more addictive than caffeine, caffeine addicts do know that withdrawal from the substance can cause severe headaches and mood swings. However, both substances have low risks on one’s health and cause sensations of energy and stress relief. If taken in moderation, minus tobacco, they are not as harmful as one would think.

The Dangers of Smoking Cigarettes to You and Your Loved Ones!

Cigarette smoking has long been considered to be dangerous for health. Active and passive smoking have been associated with risks of dangerous diseases, and the reason for this is the number of chemicals present in cigarette smoke that can damage the human body. There are at least 80 different chemicals used that are associated with a higher risk of cancer, including formaldehyde, cadmium, benzene, arsenic, and tar. Nicotine is an addictive chemical which triggers a smoker’s habit, and a number of other chemicals like carbon monoxide, ammonia, and cyanide damage cells and systems in the body.

With each puff, the chemicals in a cigarette are drawn in and begin interfering with cell functions. For this reason, tobacco smoking is associated with over 25 different diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking is responsible for around five million deaths per year, and it is a bigger cause of disabilities and death than any other single disease. The organization also estimates that over ten million will die by 2020 due to excessive smoking, which accounts for around 17 percent of deaths in developed countries. There are currently over a billion smokers in the world today.

Why do people smoke?

There are a number of reasons as to why people smoke. Young smokers often start because of peer pressure and because they believe smoking is ‘cool’. This group of smokers is at a higher risk of getting addicted and suffering the consequences later on. Most adults smoke because of the ‘relaxing’ properties associated with cigarettes. Smoking helps them relax and cope with stress.

Damage associated with smoking

Over the past several decades, there have been close to a hundred studies on smoking and the damage it does to the human body. While many of these studies have been criticized for being biased against smoking, there is no denying the evidence that smoking does a lot of harm to the body. For example, it has been proved that smokers who are between 30-50 years of age are five times more likely than non-smokers to suffer from a heart attack. The habit is also associated with coronary artery disease, where the blood supply to the heart is blocked because of a blockage or narrowing of blood vessels, which stops the heart from receiving enough oxygen and vital nutrients. Apart from this, smoking is known to increase the risk of stroke because of the damage the cigarette’s chemicals do to the arteries of the brain and heart. Lifetime smokers are 50 percent more likely to suffer a smoking-related death, and most of them will die prematurely.

 Lung problems and smoking

While smoking’s association with some diseases is questionable, it is a fact that smoking does the most damage to the lungs, because the lung tissues are directly affected by the chemicals inhaled from a cigarette. Smoking is known to increase the risk of lung cancer by a large margin. For men, the risk increases 22 times and for women, it increases by 12 times. The long term survival rates of lung cancer are poor too, making it one of the most difficult forms of cancer to treat.