Tobacco Leads to the Development of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease & Contracting Viral Respiratory Infections

Ending COVID

Smoking, Tobacco, & Second-Hand Smoke Contribute to the Development of Contracting Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Which Increases the Susceptibility to Respiratory Based Viral Infections 

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

When observing the major causes of death for the human population in the United States, chronic lower respiratory diseases are the 4th leading cause of death for Americans. Chronic lower respiratory diseases include: asthma, COPD, bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer, etc. Medical ailments from these diseases can include: difficulty breathing, chest tightness, a collapse of part or all of the lung (pneumothorax or atelectasis), swelling and inflammation in the main passages (bronchial tubes) that carry air to the lungs (bronchitis), and an eventual painful suffocating death. 

In order to live a healthy life, it is important to avoid things that can contribute to the decline of the immune system. When it comes to respiratory viruses, the primary organs that need to be kept in good working order are the lungs. As of 2020 the major contributor to the destruction of lung health is tobacco. 

The damage that tobacco and smoking cause to lung health is significant and has resulted in it being classified as the first carcinogen and 4th leading cause of death in the United States. Usage of cigarettes or being around second hand smoke is the leading cause of COPD. Exposure to tobacco and cigarette smoke is the main cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 

COPD is a condition where there is a build-up of mucus in the lungs (the mucus serves to protect epithelia cells in the linings of the respiratory system becomes inflamed). Results in a loud, congested, painful cough, along with excruciating breathing difficulties. The carcinogenic toxins found in cigarette smoke, will weaken the lungs defense against all infections, narrow the air passages, and cause swelling in air tubes and destroy air sacs—all contributing factors for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Injured lungs will make it difficult to inhale and exhale oxygen into and out of the body which will make it difficult to breathe. 

The leading cause of COPD is smoking. Cigarette smoke can directly lead to the development of COPD symptoms and also indirectly through second hand smoking effects. Exposure to another person smoking, or being in the environment where someone has previously smoked can directly impact lung health. 

The vast majority of deaths associated with tobacco are from lung diseases like cancer, chronic respiratory diseases (COPD) and tuberculosis. Lung cancer deaths are primarily caused by tobacco, with over 2/3 of lung cancer deaths worldwide. Second-hand smoke exposure anywhere will also increase the chances of acquiring lung cancer.

The single largest health preventable cause of death and disease for Americans in the United States is tobacco usage.  Around 480,000 Americans die each year due to cigarette smoking. In 2018, an estimated 13.7% (34.2 million) of U.S. adults were cigarette smokers.  Of these, (34.2 million) 74.6% Americans smoked every day. 

In addition, tobacco/smoking-related medical illness in the US costs more than $300 billion annually, including at least $170 billion in direct medical care for adults who smoke and $156 billion in lost productivity in the American workforce due to cigarette smokers.  

Respiratory system diseases/COPD 

    Smoking/Carcinogen/Lungs/Squamous Alveolar Cells

    Asthma/Bronchitis/Lung Cancer/Death 

    Lung damage/weak immune system/viral infection

Regarding Second hand smoke

    Long term ramifications/smoke/carcinogen in air 

    Home/Auto smoke free 

    Smoke on clothes/walls/carpets

    Smoke-free apartments/restaurants/workplaces/environments

    Avoid public places that allow smoking