Family health physician, Segun Fadare, says cigarette smoking increases risk of contracting cancer, heart and numerous other diseases.
Fadare, who stated this during interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ibadan on Monday, added that most cancers caused by cigarette smoking can lead to death.
“Cigarette smoke contains many toxins and these toxins don’t only enter the lungs, but are also distributed throughout the body in the bloodstream and can reach any organ in the body.
“Cigarette smoking greatly increases the risk of getting other diseases and health problems; smokers have a greater chance of getting stomach ulcers,” he said.
He said that smoking also speeds up the loss of bone in older women leading to osteoporosis.
“Some of the other health risks associated with smoking include lung damage, pneumonia; it can cause impotence and infertility in both men and women.
“Smoking can also worsen or prolong the symptoms of respiratory conditions such as asthma,” he said.
According to him, cigarette smoking not only poses health risks to the smoker, but also affects the non-smoker.
“Secondhand smoking is dangerous especially for children. It also exposes the non-smoker to the same health risks as the smoker.
“A child who is exposed to passive smoke is at increased risk of developing chest infections, meningitis and persistent cough.
“Pregnant women exposed to passive smoke are more prone to premature birth and low birth weight babies,” he said. (NAN)