Are Cigarettes Bad For You?
Also Known As: smoke, cig, puff, ciggy, fag
Short answer
Cigarettes are more than just bad for you. In fact, smoking is the largest cause of preventable death on the planet.
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
View Full Grading System
Category 'A'
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Side effects are rare. Things rated an 'A+' are typically necessary for survival (for example, water).
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. A few harmful qualities may be associated, but only under certain circumstances such as an allergic reaction.
Very healthy and numerous health benefits. Harmful qualities may be associated, but aren't usually serious.
It is important to note that even the best things in life can become bad in immoderate amounts. So, although something may be rated an 'A+', overconsumption/overdoing can bring unwanted effects.
Category 'B'
Very beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B+' may have a few harmful qualities to pay attention to.
Overall beneficial to your health. Things rated a 'B' may have some harmful qualities to pay attention to.
More beneficial to your health than not. However, harmful qualities are most likely associated and shouldn't be overlooked.
The main difference between category 'A' and category 'B' is the harmful qualities typically present in 'B' items. Serious side effects are usually uncommon, but are still possible and should be taken note of.
Category 'C'
Both beneficial and harmful qualities associated. Things rated a 'C+' are typically a bit more on the beneficial side. Still, moderation is important.
A fairly even ratio of beneficial and harmful qualities. Moderation is important. Very general topics that can lean towards both sides of the spectrum will be placed here as well. Rice, for example, can be good or bad depending on the type.
More harmful than beneficial. Side effects are common, especially when consumed/done excessively. Moderation is very important.
Category 'C' usually denotes to both good and bad qualities. When it comes to this category, it is important to keep this word in mind: moderation.
Category 'D'
Harmful to your health. Although benefits may be associated, the bad most likely outweighs the good. Moderation is very important.
Harmful to your health. A few benefits may be associated, but the bad outweighs the good. Moderation is extremely important.
Harmful to your health. Very few, if any, benefits are present. Things in this category should be avoided as much as possible.
Category 'D' is typically for things that are more harmful than beneficial. While consuming/doing something unhealthy once in a blue moon shouldn't hurt, we definitely recommend eliminating 'D' items as a regular part of your routine/diet.
Category 'F'
Category 'F' is for things that fail to bring anything beneficial to the table, and are very harmful to your health. We recommend completely avoiding anything in this category. Long-term side effects of 'F' items are usually very serious.
Category 'N'
'N' stands for neutral. Things placed into this category are generally (a) neither good nor bad for you, or (b) lack the necessary evidence to reach any conclusions.
Long answer
The statistics on cigarettes are dumbfounding. Every year, tobacco-related diseases account for over 480,000 deaths in the USA - according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - and over 100,000 in the UK- according to the National Health Service (NHS). That is more than car accidents, alcohol, suicides, homicides, AIDS, fire, cocaine and heroin combined. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services attributes one out of every 5 deaths in the US to cigarette smoking. The CDC puts losses from non-productivity due to smoking related deaths at $92 billion each year. Smoking increases the chances of dying from heart attack by 60%.
Cigarettes have about 600 ingredients. 250 of them are already known to be harmful, such as ammonia, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen cyanide. According to the American Lung Association, burning these ingredients generates over 7000 chemicals. Most of these chemicals are poisonous, and at least 70 of them (such as aromatic amines, cumene, formaldehyde and vinyl chloride) have been proven to cause cancer.
Smoking cigarettes harms nearly all organs in the body. Kidneys, heart, lungs, and arteries- the chemicals lead to cancer and organ failure. An occasional cigarette is also bad for you. Your chances of developing cancer may not be as high as the regular smoker, but you can increase your blood pressure and immediately increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Even passive smokers (those who inhale cigarette smoke) are at the same health risks as active smokers.
If you aren't already a smoker, stay away from cigarettes. They are very addictive and can have one struggling to get them out of their life. In America, over 46 million adults are cigarette smokers. 70% of them would like to quit but find themselves having trouble doing so.
Possible short-term side effects
- asthma attacks
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coughing
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increased blood pressure
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increased heart rate
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narrowing of arteries
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addiction
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lightheadedness
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pregnancy
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effects on newborn (if pregnant)
Possible long-term side effects
- chronic bronchitis
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emphysema
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cancer (various types)
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rheumatoid arthritis
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coronary heart disease
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peripheral vascular disease
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cerebrovascular disease
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age-related macular degeneration
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heart attack
Ingredients to be aware of
- nicotine
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tar
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carbon monoxide
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formaldehyde
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ammonia
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hydrogen cyanide
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arsenic
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ddt
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and many more...
Healthier alternatives
- e-cigs (no long-term research)
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nicotine replacement therapy
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Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
Thank you for your feedback!
Written by Healthy Living 35
Published on: 12-28-2015
Last updated: 12-10-2016
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