simply because they have the feeling that it's 'cool' to smoke. They simply indulge in this bad and undesirable habit as a result of influence from peer groups and friends. Some became smokers because they believe it's fun.
The most disheartening effect of smoking is the strong grip and side-effects it often had on his victims i.e the smokers. Cigarettes and tobacco products can be as addictive as illicit drugs. This is because tobacco contains a substance known as nicotine. Nicotine is not only addictive to the body but also harmful. Scientific research has shown that inhaled nicotine can reach the brain in just seven seconds.
The nicotine in cigarettes and other tobacco products usually cause blood vessels to constrict. This constriction makes the heart to beat faster and as a result raises the blood pressure. This is made possible because nicotine directly stmulates the production of the hormone adrenaline (also known as epinephrine). Adrenaline is normally produced from the adrenal glands which is located above the kidneys. Normally adrenaline is a hormone produced from the adrenal glands during pain, anger and sudden fear.
However, without pain, anger or fear, nicotine in cigarettes constantly stimulates the adrenal glands to continuously produce adrenaline. Hence, there is constant blood vessel constriction and a high blood pressure. The more an individual smokes the higher the nicotine level in his or her blood and the higher the blood pressure.
Smoking also quicken the process of hardening of the arteries. A condition known as Atherosclerosis. Smoking injures and damages the cells that line the coronary arteries and other blood vessels.
A smoker inhales a lot of carbonmonoxide. This is a substance that has a greater affinity for haemoglobin in the red blood cell (RBC) when compared to oxygen. Hence, as a result of smoking, the amount of oxygen supplied to the heart, brain and other vital organs of the body become reduced.
Finally, smoking can easily lead to the accumulation and build-up of plaque. This tend to block or clog the blood vessels that supply the heart with blood.
