Many negative effects come from a person smoking a cigarette. Smoking doesn’t only affect the smoker, but also the people who are exposed to the smoke. When someone smokes, the smoke from the cigarette is emitted to the air. According to the staff of the Mayo Clinic, there are thousands of toxic chemicals that are contained in secondhand smoke and the cigarette. Second hand smoke is smoke that is involuntarily inhaled from others smoking tobacco. According to Americans for Nonsmokers’ rights, 53,800 people die every year from secondhand smoke exposure.

When others smoke, many can feel unhappy about it. Esperanza Luna de Garcia, a parent of a student at Animo Ralph Bunche high school said, “I feel bad because I’m smelling the bad smoke.” She said she was concerned about her health and her family’s health because she said you are smelling the smoky, contaminated air. From her knowledge, she said that smoking is bad for you because you can develop cancer.

Michael Lyman, the coordinator of the school, Nevin Elementary said, “I don’t think it’s a good decision on their part.” of those that smoke. He said that he is concerned about his health and the health of others as well because the secondary smoke can cause issues for example, bad health effects. Lyman said that some effects were cancer, premature aging, and oral problems. Overall, he said that he hopes for no smoke due to negative effects.

Kevin Betancourt, a sixth grade student at Animo Jefferson Charter Middle School said, “I think smoking should stop because it’s bad for your health.” He said, “…the lungs will turn black.”

An eighth grade student at Animo Jefferson Middle School, Viviana Hernandez said, “They [smokers] shouldn’t do it [smoke] around others…” Viviana also said, “…they might develop secondhand cancer due to being around smokers… It [smoke from smoking substances] makes me feel uncomfortable because it can severely affect me by developing asthma.” She believes that people who smoke should get help and go to a rehabilitation center. According to Viviana, the effects of smoking are negative in many ways. She said that effects are developing lung cancer and the brain can be affected by having mental issues.

A seventh grader at Animo Jefferson named Gonzalo Gonzalez said, “It’s all negative,” in regards to effects of smoking. He believes smoking substances should end because it’s bad for humans. Gonzalo also said, “I’m worried that we could get sick.” He said that smoking causes asthma, causes diseases, and is a factor of global warming.

Anthony Torres is a sixth grade student and he said he doesn’t like the idea of smoking. He said smoking a substance is bad because it can damage your body.  Anthony said, “I don’t like it.” He said that none of the effects of smoking are positive.

An eighth grader at Animo Jefferson middle school, Marcela Velazquez said that she feels bothered when others smoke around her. She said that she is concerned about her health and the health of her family as well. Marcela said, “Smoking is not good for us because it shortens your lifespan throughout the years especially people who actually smoke, also those who don’t smoke.”  She said that smoking isn’t good and she wishes smoking would end because it affects the body. She said, “Like me and my brother, we got affected because my brother got Bronchitis and I have premature Asthma.” She said that when her brother runs, his chest hurts and she said that she is worried that her asthma can progress from premature asthma, to something worse. Marcela said that a positive effect that she hears of smoking a substance is that smoking relieves stress but she said, “…not even facts, just opinions.” Marcela said that there are a ton of negative effects that come from a person smoking.

Michael Cruz is a seventh grader at Animo Jefferson Middle School and he said that smoking isn’t good and he doesn’t like the idea of it because it pollutes the environment and believes that smoking should end.

Alma Gonzalez an eighth grader at AJCMS said, “I feel that it’s something bad and affects their [those who smoke] health.” She said that she has a concern for her family’s health and her health as well. She said that smoking is not good because it affects the health by developing lung cancer, asthma, and the air can become polluted. She said, “I think smoking should stop.”

Kimberly Ruesga is the older sister of a sixth grader at Animo Jefferson Middle School and in regards to smoking, Ruesga said, “I hate it.” She also said, “It’s bad for the environment and apart from that, secondhand smoke is more dangerous than you smoking yourself.” “You do have to keep in mind that you’re affecting everybody around you, not only yourself.” of those who smoke cigarettes. An effect of smoking that she said was developing asthma. Ruesga said, “I would like to see smoking stop.”

The notion of smoking can also alter a person’s personality. General Pastor of Iglesia Evangelica Emmanuel and founder of the Latin American Christian Missionary Society Agustin Gonzalez, once tried smoking a cigarette at the young age of twelve. He said that he tried smoking a cigarette to follow his friends and to feel accepted. He said that when someone smokes, they will live less. Agustin Gonzalez said that he was thankful that he did not develop an addiction. Gonzalez said, “Smoking is a temptation.” He also said that at his home when he was young, nobody smoked so him trying a cigarette was something unusual. Gonzalez said that once trying a cigarette is a stepping stone to something more dangerous. He said that in the medical and spiritual view, smoking is still wrong. He said, “Thanks to god, our message has made others react and prevent continuous smoke.” He said that a consequence of smoking is pulmonary cancer. Gonzalez said, “No matter how addicted you are to nicotine, at the moment you are saved, the power of God takes over, people come to me and tell me, ‘Pastor since I accepted God, the desire to smoke has ended.’ “

Shahram Lotfipour is a professor of Emergency Medicine and Public Health and  the Associate Dean for Clinical Science Education at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. He said, “It[smoking] is extremely harmful to our bodies and it is also very addictive.” Lotfipour said that there are harmful effects of smoking for example, waste from cigarettes that harm the environment and that the water ecosystem is harmed. He also said many organs in the body including your mouth, throat, lungs, stomach, intestines and blood flow to all tissues can become harmed due to smoking. Since technology is generating modern tools for example, electronic cigarettes, Lotfipour said, ”The harmful effects of e-cigarettes are not yet fully known. It should not be viewed as safe. Many public places are starting to ban them similar to cigarette use.” Since there are excuses made in order to smoke for example, smoking for stress relief, Lotfipour said, “…they can find other non-harmful things to do instead. It would also save them substantial [vast amount] money per month.”

Lotfipour said that one thing someone can do to help avoid negative effects is to not smoke and to not allow your friends to smoke. He also said,

One must be careful and considerate of others. The whole world can be affected by one cigar. A person can become addicted from smoking a cigarette and more negative effects will continue to act on people and the environment. According to Lotfipour, “The world has been adversely affected through cigarettes and smoking. A person can become addicted surprisingly easily from smoking and many negative effects will act on people long before they can feel it or realize it.” If you know anyone who needs help with smoking problems, it is recommended to seek for help online or to a doctor. Lotfipour said, “There is so much information online, through your doctor or through your Pharmacist. Seek help through your healthcare professionals or look for the wealth of information online at reputable sites like the National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/) or the NIH Health Information (http://health.nih.gov).”  

Smoking Poll:

How do you feel about smoking?

Out of 60 people entering the entrance of Animo Jefferson Middle School and Animo Ralph Bunche High School who took the poll of their thoughts on smoking, 9 said that it doesn’t matter to them if someone smokes, 51 people said that smoking is bad/ includes negative effects, and 0 people said that smoking is a positive thing.

Smoking also affects the future of the society. More and more people including adolescents might begin to smoke at a young age and the world can continue to become damaged. Women who are pregnant and smoke, can affect the woman and their offspring. According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), “Smoking during pregnancy causes additional health problems, including premature birth (being born too early), certain birth defects, and infant death.” The baby can also become addicted to the nicotine inside the cigarette regardless if the mother is smoking, or if the mother is inhaling secondhand smoke. Do not let that happen. Inhaling even a small amount of smoke can be harmful. Take action today!

A few myths and facts about smoking:

MYTH

-Smoking doesn’t hurt anyone but the smoker

FACT

-Secondhand smoke is present.

According to UHC, “Second hand smoke according to the National Cancer Institute makes nonsmokers more susceptible[likely to be harmed] to asthma attacks, ear infections. and other respiratory problems.” It is estimated that secondhand smoke kills  35,000 to 65,000 nonsmokers each year.

MYTH

-Smoking relaxes and improves a person’s mood

FACT

-Nicotine is present in a cigarette and the nicotine affects the entire body. The effects are directly on the heart to alter the rate and blood pressure. Nicotine acts on nerves that control respiration as well.

MYTH

-If someone has smoked for years and tries to quit, damage is already done so quitting won’t help

FACT

– “Smoking can cut about 14 years off of the lifespan of both men and women. According to NIH, if you quit smoking at age 35 you will live about five to ten years longer and decrease the risk of developing cancer and heart disease.” -UHC (University Health Center of Maryland)

FACT

-According to CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “More than 16 million Americans suffer from a disease caused by smoking.”

FACT

-Smoking is the number one preventable cause of deaths in the United States and worldwide (WebMD)

FACT

-Heart disease, stroke, cancer, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis are some effects of smoking (WebMD)

You matter: so take a stand!