Andrew Wedman Essays - Smoking, Tobacco, Passive Smoking, Tar

Andrew Wedman 12-17-98 Period 2 Tobacco Essay One may think they have benefits from smoking because they fit in the crowd. Of course, that's not true. Someone may tell you that if you smoke you'll be cool and everyone will like you. Then the crowd that smokes will like you but others may not. Your family may think you are uncool since you smoke. Other friends that you had may start not liking you since they won't want to be around you when you smoke. You might start to rather smoke then be with your friends. These are the unbeneficial things you may get from smoking. If you smoke you will have bad financial problems. Most people smoke about 20 cigarettes a day which is 1 pack. So you smoke 1 pack a day, 30 packs a month, and 360 packs a year and probably a few more at friends houses. Now, 1 pack is $3.00 which averages out to around $1080 a year. Imagine what you could do with that money! Buy a new stereo, TV, motorcycle, almost anything except a car or house. But added to that you have to think of spending money on paint for your house since the tar from tobacco smoke collects on walls. You will need to buy new tooth brushes and toothpaste for your smelling and dirty mouth, and more money on medicine since you are able to catch colds and flus easier.The minimal cost a year would probably be about $1500. You will get major effects if you smoke. Cigarette smoke contains tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and many other toxic substances. Smoking gives you twice the amount of risk for getting cancer. You have the chance of getting cancer of the lung, larynx, mouth, and esophagus. The smoke destroys the cilia in your respiratory tract so there is constant coughing. If you are pregnant, the nicotine will effect the birth by having smaller babies, premature babies, and more stillbirths. You also effect the people around you while you smoke. It's called secondhand smoke, I will get the same effects that you get from smoking since I inhale the same 2000 harmful things in smoke. 50,000 people die from secondhand smoke each year. This is what happens to you when you smoke. Sometime in my life I will have to make a decision whether I want to smoke..... or not. But, I already have. I don't want to smoke in the future for my sake and others. I don't want to endanger my life and others, also I don't want to support the tobacco industry. Tobacco makes your family and friends not like you as much. Family and friends are the best things someone could have. I think tobacco sucks and I will never want to touch a cigarette bud to my lips ever!