Harmful Effects of Smoking & Chewing Tobacco

The spread of addiction of tobacco – be it in form of smoking (cigarettes, bidis), chewing tobacco (gutkas, masala etc.) is really alarming. It’s really sad to see young boys merely in their teens getting addicted to such harmful things at such tender age. This is a matter of grave concern considering the deadly consequences of continuous tobacco consumption.

       Tobacco is injurious to health, no matter in what form you take it the ill effects are always there. Tobacco are leaves of plant that are used in dried form, they are high in nicotine and therefore addictive in nature. Tobacco is taken in the form of:

• Chewing
• Snuff
• Smoking

The high content of nicotine makes it very addictive, once a person gets addicted to smoking, chewing or sniffing it becomes difficult to get rid of it. At times efforts to give up the addiction fail and person goes back to taking tobacco.

Chewing of Tobacco

Chewing tobacco also known as smokeless tobacco (gutkas, masala etc) is as harmful as smoking. It is a myth that chewing is not as harmful as smoking. Chewing tobacco is made of tobacco, nicotine, sweeteners and chemicals. The continuous chewing process gives a constant high to the person. This high leads gives temporary relief from stress and anxiety. Small temporary relief leads the person to use it frequently and before the person realizes he is addicted.

Chewing tobacco leads to numerous harmful health effects, which can be internal or external. The main harmful effects of tobacco are:

Erodes Tooth

The ingredients of tobacco consist of gravels, sand, and other harmful chemicals that

erode the enamel of tooth. Continuous chewing leads to early loss of tooth.

Early Decay Of Tooth

Chewing leaves small particles in tooth that forms bacteria and plaque, it harms enamel and gums, which leads to decay of tooth.

Gum slump

Chewing leads to decomposing of gums, the gums get infected and the grip on tooth loosens which exposes the sensitive area of tooth.

Bad Breadth

There is nothing as bad as bad breadth of a person; they are major turn off for people around them. The long-term habit of chewing and spitting is unacceptable and looks

indecent.

Affects Eating Habit

Eating habit of people who chews tobacco tends to be unhealthy, continuous chewing affects the taste bud and the sensitivity of them decreases. This leads to an increase in intake of more salt, sugar and spices in food as he feels a bland taste in his mouth.

The above effects of

tobacco is just the beginning of trouble for people who chew, it has more deep rooted and life threatening effects. Chewing of tobacco has major or near to fatal effect on addicted people. The major areas where they proved to be fatal are:

• Damage to tongue, jaw and lips
• Lung Cancer
• Oral Cancer

Damage to tongue, jaw and lips

As mentioned above chewing leads to the early decay of tooth, bad breadth, damaged gums and falling of tooth. The addiction of tobacco affects the area around the mouth. The tongue and jaws face the following problems:

• Dis-coloring of lips and lip cancer
• Sore Throat
• Difficulty in movement of jaws and tongue
• Rashes or irritation on tongue
• Burning sensation on lips and tongue

Oral Cancer

Continuous chewing process leaves infectious juices on tooth and lips. These deve

lop in white patches that can be considered as an early symptom of oral cancer.

People who indulge in tobacco chewing have higher risk of oral cancer to people who take alcohol. The most infected area in oral cancer is the tongue a

nd the area below the tongue.

The cancer slowly spreads to cheeks and throat. Though it can attack any part lips, tongue, upper and lower mouth, the cheeks, or gums and esophagus.

It is very important to go for early diagnosis as soon as one feels suspicious.

Lung Cancer

Chewing tobacco leads to oral cancer but it is not the end as it can spread the disease in lungs and linings of stomach.

Reports show that 90% of lung cancers are cases of people who either smoke or chew tobacco. Destructive agents termed as carcinogens in tobacco injure the cells in the lungs. Over a period of time, these spoiled cells may develop into lung cancer.