Although smoking cannot be identified as the direct cause of cancer, many studies have proven that smoking increases one’s risk of getting cancer at some point in life.
Doctor Yussuf Saloojee, executive director of the National Council against Smoking, would like to urge South Africans to quit smoking due to its harmful consequences.
“The use of tobacco causes or aggravates about 43 different diseases, including 17 types of cancer, heart attacks, strokes and lung disease. Smoking does not cause TB, but people with TB are at greater risk of death if they smoke. Smoking during pregnancy also increases the risk of a stillbirth and miscarriage.”
Doctor Vernon Wessels from ER24 said, “In addition, it affects circulation by narrowing the smaller arteries. Smoking has a significant impact on a person’s health and many of these effects only manifest later in life. Smoking also affects non-smokers, and the unborn foetus in the case of pregnant women. Besides the health effects, smoking is also very expensive.”
ER24 has given a few shocking facts on the effects of smoking on people:
It is never too early or too late to stop smoking, if you would like some help in quitting or would like some advice, call the quit-line on (011) 720 3145. ER24’s emergency contact centre can be reached 24-hours a day on 084 124 for any medical emergency.
