Joan Montemayor Eng. 102 1D1June 14, 2007 Prof. ChapmanEssay # 3

Cigarettes are Silent Killers

Did you know every year thousands of people die because of lung cancer or other

tobacco related illnesses? According to Dr. Donnica in American Cancer Society, “Estimates are

that 4 million people will die of tobacco-related illnesses worldwide this year; by the 2020’s, the

death toll will increase to 10 million deaths per year” (Donnica 1). Smoking is the number one

leading cause of death, and obesity is rapidly increasing in America. Smoking is hazardous to the

health of all types of individuals. Cigarettes do not seem very harmful to people, but when lit;

they gradually kill people inhaling and breathing the smoke. Cigarette smoke is a slow poison

within a person’s body. A cigarette contains a lot of toxic substances to causing cancer in

humans. The following chemicals are in the cigarettes: arsenic, used for rat poison; vinyl

chloride, an ingredient found in garbage bags; methane, sewer gas; methanol, rocket fuel;

nicotine and a lot more. Every time a person puffs or inhales these chemical substances, a person

slowly affects their wellbeing.

Smoking is considered as an addiction to people. People get hooked on smoking at an

early age. According to the American Lung Association (2004), “Tobacco use primarily begins

in early adolescence, with one-third of all smokers having their first cigarette by the age of 14,

and ninety percent of all smokers begin before the age of 21. Another study they completed

showed that each day 6,000 children under 18 years of age smoke their first cigarette, and almost

2,000 of them become smokers” (Teenagers and Cigarettes). Teenagers are pressured to smoke

because of different aspects they encounter in life. Many teens are exposed to peer-pressure from

friends and family because they want to be accepted, be cool, look mature, and to fit in a

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particular group. Smoking becomes appealing to teenagers because younger generations see

beautiful people, actors, and athletes, in television or movies smoke cigarettes. Smokers can

experience heart problems, cancer, and lung problems all of which can end their life, because of

cigarette smoking.

Smokers are jeopardizing not only their life, but also family members, coworkers, and

others who breathe the smoke called Secondhand Smoke. Non smokers and children who are

exposed to toxic chemicals of cigarettes will also have an equal or greater risk of suffering from

lung cancer, stroke, heart disease, nasal sinus cancer, asthma, and breathing problems. An

example of death caused by secondhand smoke, “Dana Reeve, a non –smoker exposed to

secondhand smoke in the nightclubs and other public places where she sang, died recently of

lung cancer. Secondhand smoke may well have been a factor in claiming her life. All work

places should be no-smoking to protect lives” (Ginzel 1). Due to all these health problems cause

by smoking, people in New Jersey and New York restaurants, and other public places were

banned from smoking. Innocent people are at risk of breathing polluted air. Smokers are also

killing the environment for our future generations because they are polluting the atmosphere.

Pregnant women who smoke will automatically affect their unborn baby in many ways.

In a woman’s bloodstream all the nutrients, drugs, and chemicals will transfer to the baby’s

body. The poisons inhale by a pregnant woman will be passed directly into the bloodstream of

the unborn baby, and significantly reduce the amount of oxygen in the baby’s bloodstream.

“Pregnant women who smoke are more likely to deliver babies whose weights are too low for the

babies’ good health. If all women quit smoking during pregnancy, about 4,000 new babies would

not die each year” (Facts About Smoking). A lower birth weight of an infant means higher

possibility of death of a baby. Babies can also encounter serious complications with their

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breathing. There is a chance for growth retardation to occur when the baby is physically smaller

than a normal baby. As the child grows the intellectual academic performances score will

decrease and the behavior development will be affected. Smoking mothers can have greater

chance of miscarriage when they are pregnant. These are the consequence of women facing

pregnancy when they smoke cigarettes, torturing themselves and the baby.

All in all, smoking cigarettes kill people slowly and silently. Adults, children, and babies

are endangering their life because of smoking, inhaling secondhand smoke, and absorbing toxic

smoke in the body. Cigarette companies are becoming richer because a lot of smokers are buying

cigarettes, and every year someone is becoming addicted with smoking. The only answer to

addiction to smoking is to actually quit smoking. Quitting is the number one priority, and best

solution to regain a person’s health. Encourage your loved one or friends to stop smoking for

good to have a healthier, longer, and more enjoyable life.

I know people have freedom of choice about their own health; however, smoking

cigarettes will not make your problem go away. Smoking will only kill an individual and pollute

his or her surroundings. For my experience, I have an older sister who smokes cigarettes to calm

her down with her problems. It saddens me how she does not understand the consequence of

smoking cigarettes, and smoking will not benefit her wellbeing. I hated when she said, “I’m

going to die anyways so, I do not see any problems” (Sister). I said and did everything I was

supposed to do to persuade her to quit smoking, but my convincing never worked. I just hope she

realizes how precious and important life is. Maybe, she can change her mind because she is the

only one who can help herself out of the addiction. She has to be fully committed to quitting

smoking first, before anybody can help her quit. I admit I tried to smoke before, but I never liked

how the cigarette tasted and how my health is being jeopardized.