Prevention of Cigarette Smoking to Lessen Respiratory Diseases
Cigarette smoking is the major single cause of cancer mortality (death) in most of the countries in the world. Tobacco use is responsible for nearly 1 in 5 deaths in the world. Because cigarette smoking and tobacco use are acquired behaviors − activities that people choose to do – smoking is the most preventable cause of death in our society. About half of all Americans who keep smoking will die because of the habit. Each year about 480,000 people in the United States die from illnesses related to tobacco use. Smoking cigarettes kills more Americans than alcohol, car accidents, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.
Cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths. It’s linked with an increased risk of these cancers: * Lung - Lung cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that start off in one or both lungs; usually in the cells that line the air passages. The abnormal cells do not develop into healthy lung tissue; they divide rapidly and form tumors. * Larynx (voice box) - Cancer of the larynx, can also be called laryngeal cancer, can develop in any part of the larynx, but most begins in the glottis. The inner walls of the larynx are lined with cells called squamous cells. Almost all laryngeal cancers begin in these cells. * Oral cavity (mouth, tongue, and lips) – mouth cancer, tongue cancer or lips cancer * Nose and sinuses – sinus or nasal cavity cancer * Pharynx (throat) - Throat cancer refers to cancerous tumors that develop in your throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx) or tonsils. Your throat is a muscular tube that begins behind your nose and ends in your neck. * Esophagus (tube connecting the throat to the stomach) - Esophageal cancer (or esophageal cancer) is cancer arising from the esophagus—the food pipe that runs between the