Smoking bans

Consequences? Smoking facts

Smoking near children is a cause of serious respiratory illnesses, such as bronchitis and pneumonia, which may require hospitalisation.

Impotence

Smoking destroys sexual life! Impotence or erectile dysfunction is the repeated incapacity of having or maintaining an erection. In Romania, the prevalence of erectile dysfunction is of 25% of the general population, which means that one in four men are impotent!

Studies conducted by the Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) and the British Medical Association (BMA) show that smoking increases the risk of impotence by 50%, risk which can be even greater in case of associating smoking with stress factors. It has been proven that, among the Vietnam war veterans there was an 80% higher risk of impotence in case of smokers than in case of non-smokers.

Besides impotence, among the problems caused directly by smoking are the reduced volume of ejaculation, smaller number of spermatozoon's ejaculated, abnormal shape and reduced mobility of the spermatozoon's. However, research done by MORI for ASH have shown that 88% of the smokers do not know the sexual risks they are exposing themselves to.

The labels on the packets of cigarettes should warn the consumers about the risk of impotence. A new directive of the European Union will soon replace the existing one (89/662/EEC) which contains specifications about the current warnings on the cigarette packages and their associated advertisements. Cigarettes sold in Thailand now have warnings mentioned about the risks of impotence caused by smoking and the idea is strongly disputed in Hong Kong.

The new directive will impose mentioning of the following warnings:

  • WARNING: SMOKING CAUSES MALE SEXUAL IMPOTENCE
  • WARNING: SMOKING DAMAGES SPERM
  • WARNING: SMOKING MAY DAMAGE YOUR SEX-LIFE

The cigarette smoke contains over 4000 harmful substances for the human body among which carbon monoxide, nicotine and 1,3 butadiene. They are responsible for 40300 untimely deaths each year in Great Britain and over 1,2 million only in Europe! Destroying the arteries and veins which pump blood into the penis is just one of the manifests of the destruction of the circulatory system. Moreover, hypertensives, those who have a heart problem or arthritis and also smoke are condemned to definitive impotence!

Smoking is devastating for sexual life. Considering that two out of the three secondary effects of smoking are caused by nicotine, a smoker has chances that together with his quitting smoking he might have significant improvements of erectile dysfunctions.

The specialists opinion:

Smoking not only reduces life span but also the quality of life. The impotent smokers usually suffer in silence with their conscience burdened by the fact that it could all have been prevented. David. J. Ralph BSc Ms FRCS (Urol) / Institute of Urology, University College, London

The fact that smokers are predisposed to impotence is obvious. This is a result of the action of the substances from the cigarette smoke on the blood capillaries but also of the direct action over the muscles of the penis. Roger Kirby / Consultant Urologist, St. George's Hospital, London

Smoking has dramatic immediate and long term effects on the erection. Giving up smoking often leads to substantial improvements. It is surprising that impotence is not quoted more often as a motivating fact for giving up smoking. Alain Gregoire: ABC Of Sexual Health / British Medical Journal

Infertility

Smoking causes infertility in both men and women!

In men's case, infertility is caused by the effects of nicotine on the circulatory system, which causes, besides impotence, the reduction in volume of the ejaculation, smaller number of spermatozoon's ejaculated and abnormal shape and reduced mobility of the spermatozoon's.

The decline of intelligence

Research made by the Psychiatric Institute Of London indicate the fact that smoking is associated with the decline of intelligence. The study has examined over 650 people of 65 and over, to determine their intellectual strength and record their smoking habits. The researchers have proven that the smokers have bigger problems than the non-smokers or the ex-smokers. Smoking is a factor which contributes to cardiovascular diseases and arteriosclerosis, it narrows the arteries and therefore reduces the blood flow to the brain. This can explain the decline of intelligence.

This study is one of a long series of research which prove the negative impact smoking has over people's health and well-being. Taking into account all the other ravages of smoking - including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, emphysema and others - the decline of intelligence just adds to the list o health problems that smokers cause themselves.

We consider these study as a calling to give up this habit and accept professional help to make sure that it is not taken up again. Dr. Kathleen Kuntaraf

Frail immunity

Smoking affects the immunity system in various ways:

  • Increases the number of leukocytes
  • Increases the number of lymphocytes
  • Modifies the balance between different subsets of T-lymphocytes
  • Drops the number of Natural Killer cells, which have an important role in defending the organism against cancer
  • Decreases the number of Langhans cells (which are important components of the immunity system at the ephitelia of the cervix) - therefore smoking contributes to cervix dysplasia
Dr. Kathleen Kuntaraf

Influenza or Flu

Smokers get influenza three times more often than non-smokers! This is caused also by the frail immunity generated by smoking.

Cavities

Smokers have three times as many cavities than non-smokers due to dental plaque which leads to bacterias developing and then teeth decaying! Dr. Kathleen Kuntaraf

Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums caused by poor oral hygiene associated to smoking. Passive smokers lose teeth three times more frequently than non-smokers! Dr. Kathleen Kuntaraf

Bad breath

The smoker's bad breath refers to the unpleasant smell that he exhales and which no mouthwash or toothpaste can remove. There is a saying: Kiss a smoker and you'll feel the difference!" Dr. Kathleen Kuntaraf

Unfortunately, this smell gets impregnated also into the skin, and even if you're a non-smoker it affects you greatly. Do you really think that your lover wants someone who smells awful? Take a stand, and change the quality of your life, it is your right!