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The Negative Factors of Smoking

The negative factors of smoking are substantial enough to have become a crisis in the United States, and the smoker is not the only one who feels the impact. Family members and friends, co-workers and taxpayers all pay the price of the negative impact of smoking. Given the vast evidence of the detriments of smoking, it's not hard to argue that smoking is bad for everyone.

  1. Health

    • People who smoke have an increased heart rate as well as increased blood pressure from the moment they begin smoking. Smokers tend to have a reduced immune system, leaving them susceptible to colds and other illnesses. Smoking has been known to cause heart disease and cardiovascular problems as well as high cholesterol. Quitting smoking now will greatly increase the chances of avoiding these and other health problems.

    Finances

    • With taxes pushing packs of cigarettes to around $10 in some areas, it is easy to see how the pocketbook can be negatively affected by such a habit. Even non-smokers pay the price through increased health-care costs paid for by taxes. Quitting can be costly, too, when considering the money spent on nicotine gums and nasal sprays. However, in the long run, it pays to quit.

    Odor

    • Foul-smelling breath and the residual odor of smoke on skin, clothes and the home are just a few examples of the odor a smoker leaves in his wake. The odor can even transfer to family members' clothing in the wash. Severe smells may also contribute to a smoker losing his job, if faced with employers and customers who are sensitive to or intolerant of the smell.

    Appetite

    • Smoking decreases the appetite, which often causes weight loss. However, when a person quits smoking, the natural tendency is to begin eating more, which brings back the weight that was lost and then some. Smoking is not a healthy way to lose weight and should therefore not be considered a good diet plan.

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