Mr. Liu, a 50-year-old middle-aged man, started smoking 30 years ago and has never successfully quit smoking. For health reasons, he switched from smoking ordinary cigarettes to smoking thin cigarettes a few years ago, hoping to reduce health hazards. However, last month, Mr. Liu had a sudden angina pectoris on his way to work and was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed with myocardial infarction. The doctor told Mr. Liu to quit smoking immediately and undergo heart bypass surgery, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.
Mr. Liu was very worried and anxious, he said that he had been smoking the so-called "low-tar" cigarettes, why was his health situation so bad? Compared with ordinary cigarettes, the harm to human health was really smaller? Which is the degree of harm to human health between thick cigarettes and thin cigarettes?
To find out, scientists devised a series of comparative experiments. The results of the experiment are now published, in order to help the majority of smokers understand the harm of cigarettes, and scientifically choose or quit smoking as soon as possible.
Compare the concentration of harmful gases emitted by thin and coarse smoke
Experimental conditions: Prepare two closed rooms with a volume of 15 cubic meters, and control the starting environmental conditions to be completely consistent. Light 1 regular thick cigarette in room 1 and 1 thin cigarette in room 2. After the cigarette burns out, the concentration of inhalable particulate matter (PM2.5) in the two rooms is measured and compared.
Experimental results: The PM2.5 concentration in room 1 was 58.9 micrograms/cubic meter; Room 2 PM2.5 concentration was 60.8 μg/m3.
Analysis: From the detection results of the inhaled harmful gas index PM2.5, it can be seen that the concentration of harmful gases generated after the combustion of thin cigarettes is basically the same as that of ordinary thick cigarettes, and there is no obvious reduction.
Compare the amount of cigarettes smoked to satisfy the desire to smoke with a thin and thick cigarettes
Experimental conditions: Two smokers with similar smoking age were selected and let them smoke thin cigarettes and thick cigarettes respectively until they felt that their smoking cravings were satisfied. The time and number of cigarettes smoked by two people were detected and recorded.
Results: Smoking 1.5 cigarettes within 10 minutes indicated that the smoking addiction was satisfied. Those who smoke thin-rod cigarettes need to smoke 3 cigarettes for 30 minutes before they feel satisfied.
Analysis: Smokers have a certain "threshold" requirement for nicotine, and the nicotine content of thin-rod cigarettes is low, and more cigarettes need to be smoked to meet the threshold. This led to a higher total amount of cigarette smoking, and although the harm of a single cigarette was smaller, the overall harm still increased instead of decreasing.
To sum up, thin-rod cigarettes are not healthier than ordinary cigarettes, and the concentration of harmful gases released and the total number of cigarettes to meet the needs of smoking are not lower than those of ordinary coarse cigarettes. The term "low tar" is more like a marketing ploy, and the actual protective effect on human health is not obvious.
Thin cigarettes are as harmful as thick cigarettes, but there are some cigarettes that are more harmful and smokers need to be extra careful.
1. Inferior tobacco products of unknown brands often contain more harmful ingredients and greater health hazards due to the lack of quality control.
2. E-cigarettes may seem tar-free, but the nicotine and other chemicals in them are still harmful to the heart and lungs, and the inhaled liquid particles can also damage the respiratory system.
3. Cigarettes that have deteriorated due to moisture may contain mycotoxins, which may also cause respiratory infections if inhaled.
Whether it is a thin-stem cigarette or other variants of cigarettes, the effect of reducing harmful substances is minimal. The only scientific option is to quit cigarette addiction as soon as possible. Smoking can be harmful far beyond heart and lung health.
Smoking and respiratory diseases
Inhalation of toxic chemicals contained in cigarette smoke can directly damage the cells of the respiratory tract; In long-term smokers, lung function indicators such as lung capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second will be significantly reduced. In addition, smoking is the primary risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and it is also an important cause of lung cancer and emphysema. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce the incidence of diseases such as lung cancer.
Smoking and cardiovascular disease
The carbon monoxide in tobacco replaces the oxygen molecule in hemoglobin and binds to it, reducing the transport of oxygen in the blood, leading to hypoxic myocardial infarction. Long-term smoking can also aggravate vascular endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis, leading to coronary heart disease and cerebral infarction. Smokers are 2-6 times more likely to develop cardiovascular disease than non-smokers. After quitting smoking, the risk of cardiovascular disease can be significantly reduced within 1-5 years.
Smoking and cancer
The carcinogens in tobacco smoke can be absorbed through the lungs and oral mucosa, resulting in a significant increase in the incidence of cancer in these areas. Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, with 80-90% of lung cancer patients having a history of smoking. Smoking is also associated with the occurrence of various cancers such as oral cancer, laryngeal cancer, esophageal cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Successfully quitting smoking can greatly reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Smoking and reproductive disorders
The harmful chemicals in cigarettes can adversely affect the structure and function of the reproductive system. Female smokers are more likely to have problems with decreased fertility, infertility, and endometriosis. Male smokers also have a higher risk of sexual dysfunction, decreased sperm count and motility, and in severe cases, impotence. In addition, smoking by both parents increases the risk of fetal malformations, premature birth, and miscarriage. Successful smoking cessation can significantly improve fertility and reduce harm to the fetus.
Smoking and digestive disorders
Tobacco smoke contact with the oral mucosa can cause gingivitis, periodontitis and other diseases; The carcinogens in tobacco are also important factors in oral cancer. Smokers also have a higher risk of throat cancer and esophageal cancer. Long-term smoking can also lead to a decrease in the secretion of digestive juices, slowing down gastrointestinal motility, and hindering the digestion and absorption of food. Successfully quitting smoking can go a long way in maintaining oral and digestive health.
Smoking and skin aging
The huge amount of heat generated when smoking destroys collagen, elastin, and other components in the skin. Toxic substances in cigarettes can also cause skin capillaries to rupture and cell necrosis. Long-term smoking will accelerate skin aging, and problems such as melaninization, wrinkles, and yellowing will appear. Successfully quitting smoking can help you avoid skin damage caused by tobacco and keep your skin healthy.
To sum up, the harm of cigarettes is far more harmful than people think, attacking almost all the vital organ systems of the human body. Whether it is a thin cigarette or other variants of cigarettes, there is no substantial difference in the harmfulness of cigarettes from ordinary cigarettes. The most scientific and effective way to avoid the health damage caused by tobacco is to quit cigarettes altogether. It is hoped that smokers can face up to the serious consequences of smoking and seek professional help as soon as possible to quit this harmful bad habit.