Tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in America, but
advertisements show beautiful models enjoying a cigarette and make
smoking seem glamorous. This is just not true, especially for
women. Cigarette smoke discolors teeth and skin, accelerates
the aging process and causes bad breath – and those are just
the short-term effects.
Statistics show that cigarette smoking is more addictive for women
than for men and smoking among women is increasing. From 1980-2000,
the death rate due to lung and bronchial cancer increased by 93 percent
among females, compared to only a 9 percent increase in males.
During the same time, deaths from emphysema increased by 94 percent
among females, but actually decreased in males by 50 percent.
Unfortunately, besides affecting women’s health with an increase
in heart disease, cancer, asthma and bronchitis, smoking also affects
the unborn child of a pregnant woman.
In 1999, West Virginia ranked first nationwide in smoking during
pregnancy.
Cigarette use can play a role in miscarriages since poisons such as
nicotine and carbon monoxide can cause some miscarriages. The poisons
also may cause low blood flow to the fetus, and poor attachment of
the placenta.
Smoking during pregnancy also makes it more likely that a baby will
die in their first year. Babies of women who smoke are born earlier
and generally with lower birth weight. They often have underdeveloped
lungs and life threatening breathing problems. Two of three
Sudden Infant Death Syndromes (SIDS or Crib Death) can be linked to
smoking,
Secondhand smoke continues to cause problems for those who live or
work with smokers. Secondhand smoke is the third preventable
cause of death in the United States. It not only contributes
to life threatening illnesses such as pulmonary disease, cancer and
heart diseases, it causes an increase in childhood illnesses like
asthma, bronchitis, and chronic ear and throat problems.
The tobacco companies benefit because Americans have the right to
choose to smoke, but the decision to quit smoking or at least go outside
to smoke may be the best choice.
Free information and phone counseling sessions to assist in quitting
is available by calling the WV Quitline,
1-877-YNOT-QUIT or 1-877-966-8784.
For more information about Clean Indoor Air, smoking cessation
classes or the effects of secondhand smoke, call Carrie Brainard,
Regional Tobacco Prevention Coordinator, Mid Ohio Valley Health Department.
at 304-485-7374 Ext. 168.
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