Smoking

Smoking is bad! 

During the Philippine Academy of Pediatric Pulmonologists convention last April 29-30, 2025, a topic was explained well by the panelists, Dr Maria Corazon Avancena and Dr Rizalina Racquel Gonzalez. This topic was about the bad effects of smoking and vaping to our health. 

The lecture said that the “smoker’s body” looks like this:
1. Hair loss
2. Cataracts
3. Skin wrinkling
4. Hearing loss
5. Skin cancer
6. Tooth decay 

7. Lung ailments
8. Osteoporosis
9. Heart disease
10. Stomach ulcers
11. Discolored fingers
12. Cervical cancer
13. Deformed sperm
14. Psoriasis
15. Buerger’s disease
16. Other cancers

In the lecture, it was emphasized who are the first hand smokers, the second hand and the third hand smokers. 

One is regarded as first hand smoker if the smoke is being inhaled by the smoker himself. 

Second if exhaled by a smoker or released from the end of a burning cigarette and third hand if toxic residues that stick to surfaces and dust after the smoke clears. 

They also explained the life cycle of smoking health hazards which are:
a. In utero
* Smoking causes placental problems
* Low birth weight
* Stillbirth
* Neurological and developmental problems

b. Infancy
* Sudden infant death syndrome
* Bronchiolitis

c. Childhood
* Fire related injuries
* Otitis media
* Upper and lower respiratory tract illness

d. Adolescence
* Decreased stamina
* Exercise tolerance
* Poor lung development
* Peer influence to start smoking
* Nicotine addiction

e. Adulthood
* Cancer
* Cardiovascular disease
* COPD

Since smoking is bad and has no beneficial effects to our health, we must do something to stop it. 

The speakers mentioned that there must be monitoring of tobacco use and prevention policies. 

They suggested the following measures:

  • Protect people from tobacco use
  • Offer help to quit tobacco us
  • Warn about the dangers of tobacco
  • Enforce bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship and
  • Raise taxes on tobacco