Question

Why is Tobacco Use in any form injurious to health? Explain

Answer 1

Tobacco is consumed by people because it contains Nicotine: an alkaloid. Nicotine is a potent stimulant for the CNS

Complete step by step answer:
Use of tobacco in human civilization is almost 400 years old. It is chewed, Smoked or Snuffed, Whatever is the form tobacco is used it is injurious to the health. Following is the side effect of the Tobacco use.
Effect on Cardiovascular system: Tobacco contains nicotine which is a potent CNS stimulator. Nicotine stimulates the adrenal gland to release adrenaline and noradrenaline hormones. These hormones cause elevated heart rate and also raise the blood pressure.
Tobacco especially if it is smoked known to cause endothelial damage of the blood vessels, such damage accelerates the process of atherosclerosis. Thus chewing or smoking tobacco increases the risk of cardiovascular disease such as Myocardial infarction or heart attack.
Effect on respiratory system: Cigarette smoke contains Carbon Monoxide which binds with the haemoglobin and does not allow oxygen to bind to haemoglobin. This causes oxygen deficiency. Cigarette smoke also causes Emphysema which reduces the gaseous exchange of the alveoli. Cigarette smoke also damages the cilia of the respiratory tract, thus Chronic smoking makes the lung more susceptible to pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and Tuberculosis.
Carcinogenic effect: Tobacco contains many carcinogenic chemicals ( Cancer causing )such as soot, Nicotine, coal tar ( benzopyrene) etc. chewing tobacco increases the risk of mouth cancer. Smoking tobacco increases the risk of lung cancer. It is also likely to cause stomach and urinary bladder cancer.
Teratogen effect: Teratogens are the chemicals which cause defective foetal development and thus the born baby will be malformed. Smoking causes Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It also causes malformed development of foetus such as defect in mouth, palate and lips. Thus during pregnancy use of Tobacco must be prevented.

Additional information: 31st may is celebrated as world’s tobacco day for creating awareness of health and social hazards among the people.

Note:
Apart from the health hazards tobacco uses many socio economic problems as nicotine in the tobacco is habit forming and it causes addiction.