Smoking: The Harsh Reality You Need to Know

Cigarettes are one of the most difficult ways a person can slowly die. The reason is that a person who smokes is exposed to many severe and irreversible diseases and may suffer for years before death.

Knowing how much suffering it causes, why do so many young people in Sri Lanka—both boys and girls—start smoking?

How Smoking Usually Begins

A large number of smokers do not buy their first cigarette themselves. Instead, the habit often begins when a friend who already smokes offers a cigarette “just for a puff.” For many young people, the fear of being left out makes it hard to say no.

This is often where a dangerous addiction begins.

Once started, stopping becomes extremely difficult because cigarettes contain highly addictive substances. Even when people understand the harm, they often struggle to quit.

“I Don’t Feel Sick Yet”

Many young smokers think:
“I’ve been smoking, but I don’t feel any illness yet.”

That is true in the beginning. Smoking does not cause immediate symptoms. However, over years of continuous exposure to toxic substances, it leads to diseases such as:

• Cancer
• Heart attacks
• Lung diseases

Eventually, many end up bedridden in hospitals, only then realizing the consequences of their choices.

If a smoker cannot find a reason to quit, visiting a place like Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama can be eye-opening. Many patients suffering from oral and lung cancers are living with severe pain and without support. Without stopping smoking, a similar fate may await others in the future.

Harm to Others (Passive Smoking)

Smoking does not only harm the smoker. The smoke released also affects people nearby. When others inhale this smoke, the carcinogenic substances enter their bodies as well.

The smoke from a burning cigarette is even more toxic than the smoke inhaled through a filter. People exposed to it suffer greater harm.

Risks for Family Members

• Children in smoking households may develop asthma and wheezing
• Pregnant women are at high risk of complications
• Infants exposed to smoke face a risk of sudden infant death while sleeping

Therefore, if someone in the family smokes—such as a husband or partner—helping them quit is a shared responsibility. Otherwise, the entire family, especially children, is at risk.

What’s Inside a Cigarette?

A cigarette contains more than 4,000 harmful chemicals, including:

Nicotine

• Causes addiction
• Increases blood pressure
• May raise cancer risk

Carbon Monoxide

• Reduces oxygen in the blood
• Affects lung function

Tar

• A major cancer-causing substance

Other carcinogens include:

• Nitrosamines
• Hydrocarbons

What About Vaping?

Many people believe vaping is harmless compared to cigarettes. However, recent research from several countries has led to bans or restrictions on vaping products due to health concerns.

Vaping is also considered a gateway substance, especially for school children who never previously smoked. It can lead them to experiment with traditional cigarettes later in life.

It is also important to understand that vaping addiction can develop, and users may eventually transition to cigarette smoking.

We are not promoting cigarettes or any form of tobacco. As healthcare professionals, we strongly oppose smoking, vaping, alcohol, and all addictive substances because we have seen their harmful effects firsthand.

If you have friends who continue to smoke, even after knowing the risks, it is your responsibility to talk to them and help guide them away from this harmful habit.

Helping someone quit smoking may save their life—and the lives of their loved ones.