Smoking Kills. So what?
Smoking is bad for your health yet those who love the puff refuse to stop. In addition, the increasing number of young women smokers is a growing cause of concern. TOI examines the issue
Risks are higher. But the addiction is stronger and it’s a difficult business to kick the butt. Forget the menfolk, even women today seem to whiff off all these concerns with every puff they take.

According to the WHO’s 14th World Conference on Tobacco and Health, 2009, there has been an alarming 18 per cent rise in the number of women smokers in India. Majority of these women fall in the age group of 18 to 24 years. Are a woman’s reasons to take up the ‘cancer–stick’ different from the men? If psychologists are to be believed, a cigarette in a woman’s hand has begun to symbolise a certain air of success and mystery. They say, smoking, for the fairer sex, is an act of rebellion against social pressures of being feminine, nice and perfect.

Says Himani Chaphekar, a citybased psychologist: “Women are more emotional. Therefore, the possibility of them slipping into depression is more than men. Some women also take to smokes due to loneliness. Personality and socio–economic factors are also reasons to such addictions.”

Smoking is one of the ways to make friends and be accepted by peers. “Curiosity took over and made me take my first puff. Later I became an addict due to peer pressure,” says a 24 year–old media professional who did not want to be named. “For me, smoking is stress–buster. I did go through the usual coughing bouts in the beginning, but it helped me fight fatigue and stress,” says Yamini Pant, a 22–yearstudent.

Strange though it may sound, some women also smoke to control weight. “Women usually put on weight after they quit smoking. This is one reason they are scared of quitting,” says Chapekar. Some people also develop a sweet tooth after they quit cigarette, which in turn help in putting weight.

The reasons for taking up smoking may differ, but the effects are the same or rather worse than compared to men. Women who smoke are at a higher risk of developing various cancers like lung cancer, cervical cancer, oral cancer and cancers of pancreas, kidney and bladder.

“Not just cancer but they are also prone to diseases like piles more than men,” says Sanjay Apte, who works at Muktangan deaddiction centre. He adds, “Women addicted to smoking or tobacco in any other form suffer irregularities in their monthly menstrual cycle. Early menopause is also one of the effects. In extreme cases hormonal dysfunction due to smoking can also lead to infertility.”

Younger women do not seem to bother about the apparent risks to their health. “There are heavy smokers who have been smoking since ages. If they are still alive and kicking, I have a long way to go,” said Priyadarshani. To most women, giving up cigarette means giving up their freedom. And, would they give it up when they have kids? Pat comes the reply from Yamini, “Why should I? Smoking is like breathing. I can’t give it up. And, there are so many women smokers who have kids.”

Why does cigarette cause addiction?
Nicotine, in cigarette, is the strongest addictive substance. It causes changes in the brain that make people want to use it more and more. If not consumed causes withdrawal symptoms like irritability, anxiety, depression.

Ill–effects of smoking
Smoking produces 4,000 poisonous substances. When inhaled, they cut down the oxygen supply to the heart by 15 per cent thereby damaging the circulatory and the respiratory system.

How does cigarettes damage
Lungs Damage the lining of the lungs and makes them prone to serious lung infections like TB and breathing disorders. It increases the risk of lung cancer from upto 8 to 20 times.

Heart and blood vessels
Nicotine in cigarette leads to high blood pressure and constriction of blood vessels forcing the heart to work faster. Smoking doubles the risk of heart attack.

Pregnant Women
Increases risk of miscarriage or develop complications in pregnancy and labour. Is harmful for the health of the foetus and contributes to inadequate breast milk production.

Smokers ’ Children
Causes bronchitis, pneumonia and other chest infections especially in their first year of life. It may also lead to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or SIDS.

Oral Tract
Smokers tend to loose their teeth early and it difficult to open their mouth to the normal extend. It also causes cancer of the oral tract.


Source: Times of India