Hazards of Pipe Tobacco

Some tobacco smokers feel that smoking a pipe is a healthier, safer alternative to smoking cigarettes, but facts suggest otherwise. There are consequences for this as well.

Addiction

• Tobacco contains nicotine, whether in a cigarette, cigar or pipe. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance. Once addicted, nicotine addicts may spend years attempting to quit. Nicotine patches and gum are available, but even with them not everyone is able to stop. Addiction to nicotine is a serious problem, and a life-long one. Even after a nicotine addict quits smoking, her body craves it if offered again.

Cancer

• Like cigarette smokers, pipe tobacco smokers are vulnerable to lung cancer. However, pipe smokers are also susceptible to cancers of the mouth, throat and esophagus. Cancer of the bladder and pancreas are also possible. All of these cancers have the potential to cause death. Treatment can involve painful radiation or chemotherapy, which can cause nausea and baldness. Surgery may be involved to remove tumors, but that isn't always possible.

Heart Disease

• Pipe tobacco smokers are at risk for heart disease, especially those who smoke frequently and inhale deeply. Heart disease is defined as the small blood vessels around your heart narrowing. This prevents blood and oxygen from reaching your heart. Symptoms of heart disease are shortness of breath, tightness in the chest and high blood pressure. Eventually, heart disease may lead to a heart attack, and possibly death.

Secondhand Smoke

• Pipe tobacco isn't filled with the same chemicals as cigarettes, but secondhand smoke is still a risk to those around you. Small children, elderly people, people with weakened immune systems and animals are particularly susceptible to damage from secondhand smoke. This smoke leaves the smell of tobacco on everything around you and will not ever fade completely. Your environment, clothes and belongings will smell like pipe tobacco if you smoke around them.