Information about smoking, its causes, harms and treatment
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| Information about smoking, its causes, harms and treatment |
Information on Smoking: Its Causes, Harms, and Treatments
There are nearly one billion smokers around the world, with about a third of them living in China, India, Indonesia, and the United States. In Egypt, around 18 million people smoke, which is not considered a very high percentage compared to the country’s total population. In China, one out of every three people is a smoker. Usually, the first cigarette is not one you buy yourself—it is often offered by an older smoker.
At first, smoking is not a personal decision; the first attempt is usually unpleasant. You cough, feel dizzy, and wonder how anyone could enjoy it. But later, you start to miss it, and you feel the urge to try again. The reason is nicotine. Nicotine acts as a strong antidepressant, giving temporary relief from stress. That is why many people light up more often when they feel anxious. However, the effect is short-lived, which pushes smokers to keep smoking to maintain that sense of calm.
This also explains why “light cigarettes” or “e-cigarettes” are a myth. The body does not care whether you smoke one strong cigarette or several “light” ones—it seeks the same level of nicotine. In the end, you will smoke until your body feels fully satisfied with nicotine levels, regardless of the type of cigarette.
Do not be deceived by statements like: “It’s not harmful.” Nor should you think that shisha (hookah) is a safer alternative. In fact, smoking one shisha session is equal to smoking 80 cigarettes, even if it tastes like grapes or melon.
As for quitting, studies have shown that it is actually easier to quit suddenly (“cold turkey”) than gradually, although both methods can work. The important thing is the decision itself. Smokers know more than anyone how dangerous cigarettes are, but often deny it because the early damage does not feel severe.
When smoke enters the lungs, carbon monoxide binds to the red blood cells instead of oxygen, lowering oxygen levels in the body. At first, the smoker may feel fine, but over time this leads to serious health issues: emphysema, chronic bronchitis, heart disease, and cancers such as lung and throat cancer. Other problems appear much earlier, such as high blood pressure, poor vision, reduced sense of taste and smell, and for pregnant women, the risk of birth defects in their babies.
From a religious perspective, many scholars—including Al-Azhar in Egypt—have declared smoking forbidden in Islam. Even if someone does not believe in these rulings, it is wrong to claim smoking is harmless or not a sin. At the very least, one should acknowledge its harm and ask for prayers instead of denying reality.
Culturally, smoking among women became more common in the early 1990s, with cigarettes and shisha seen as a “cool” or modern activity. Unfortunately, this attitude has shaped generations who now associate unhealthy or reckless behavior with being stylish or admirable.
In truth, smoking is nothing but a dangerous habit that damages the body, wastes money, and destroys health—both in this world and, for believers, in the hereafter. Recognizing it for what it truly is can be the first step toward quitting and encouraging others to avoid it.
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| Information about smoking, its causes, harms and treatment |