1. Harmful Chemicals in Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including:

• Tar – coats the lungs, damaging tissue

• Carbon monoxide – reduces oxygen-carrying capacity of blood

• Nicotine – addictive substance that tightens airway muscles

• Formaldehyde, benzene, and ammonia – toxic and carcinogenic

2. Damage to the Respiratory System

A. Airways and Bronchi

• Cigarette smoke irritates the lining of airways.

• Causes inflammation and swelling, leading to chronic bronchitis (constant cough with mucus).

• Over time, airways become narrower, making breathing harder.

B. Alveoli (Air Sacs)

• Alveoli are responsible for oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange.

• Smoking destroys alveolar walls, reducing surface area for gas exchange.

• This leads to emphysema, a condition where you can't breathe out fully.

C. Mucus and Cilia

• Smoke paralyzes or destroys cilia (tiny hair-like structures that clear mucus and debris).

• Excess mucus builds up, increasing the risk of infections like pneumonia.

3. Major Respiratory Diseases Caused by Smoking

• COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) – includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

• Lung cancer – smoking is the leading cause.

• Asthma worsening – smoke triggers and aggravates asthma attacks.

• Increased risk of tuberculosis and other lung infections.

4. Secondhand Smoke Effects

Even people who don’t smoke but breathe in smoke can suffer:

• Children: asthma, lung infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

• Adults: increased risk of COPD and heart disease

5. Positive Effects of Quitting Smoking

• Within weeks: lungs begin to heal, breathing improves

• Within 1 year: coughing and shortness of breath reduce

• Long-term: risk of lung disease and cancer drops significantly

So remember no🚭 or you will get lung🫁 cancer Beware of cigarette