VOKASI NEWS – Smoking is a global epidemic that claims the lives of millions of people every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco-related illnesses cause more than eight million deaths annually, with lung-related diseases being a major contributor. Shockingly, even non-smokers, including innocent children, are not spared from the dangers of secondhand smoke.
Indonesia’s Smoking Crisis
Indonesia, the second-largest cigarette market in the world, is grappling with a significant smoking problem. Approximately 29 percent of the Indonesian population aged 15 and above are smokers. Tragically, this leads to a staggering 225,700 smoking-related deaths each year in the country. The harmful substances present in cigarettes wreak havoc on vital organs, leading to heart disease, lung cancer, and stroke.
The Devastating Impact on Health
Smoking poses a severe threat to cardiovascular health. Chemicals from cigarettes can adhere to artery walls, causing plaque buildup and narrowing of the arteries, which restricts blood flow to the heart. This increases the risk of heart attacks and other heart-related complications. Quitting smoking is crucial for heart attack survivors as the damage caused by cigarette chemicals is often irreversible.
Lung cancer, one of the most prevalent and deadly diseases associated with smoking, is a direct consequence of the toxic substances, including nicotine and tar, present in cigarettes. The constant exposure to these harmful substances leads to the gradual deterioration of lung tissues, resulting in abnormal cell changes and the development of cancer. Quitting smoking significantly reduces the risk of developing lung cancer.
The Menace of Strokes
The flow of blood to the brain is essential for its proper functioning. However, active smokers face an increased risk of blood clotting in the brain, leading to potentially life-threatening strokes. With over 4,000 chemicals present in cigarettes, these toxic substances enter the bloodstream, damaging blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the brain. Studies have shown that daily smokers have a significantly higher likelihood of experiencing a stroke.
Cigarettes may initially be seen as a companion, but their long-term effects are far from friendly. They are a silent poison that gradually inflicts deadly diseases upon their users. With thousands of chemicals, including nicotine and tar, cigarettes contribute to the proliferation of malignant diseases.
The devastating impact of the cigarettes market cannot be understated. It is imperative that individuals and societies take proactive measures to combat this global health crisis. By raising awareness, implementing effective tobacco control policies, and supporting smoking cessation programs, we can work towards a smoke-free world.
Bibliography
- https://www.halodoc.com/kesehatan/kanker-paru
- https://www.alodokter.com/kanker-paru-paru/penyebab
- https://p2ptm.kemkes.go.id/tag/perokok-berisiko-tinggi-terserang-stroke-berkali-kali#:~:text=%E2%80%9CMerokok%20bisa%20mengakibatkan%20berbagai%20masalah,%2C%E2%80%9D%20kata%20Hackshaw%20melalui%20email.
- https://dinkes.cimahikota.go.id/artikel-detail/4-bahaya-merokok-bagi-kesehatan-tubuh#:~:text=Pada%20perokok%20aktif%20bisa%20saja,menyebabkan%20serangan%20radang%20di%20ot.ak
Penulis: Pepita Alamanda Karina Mitha
Supervisor: Angkita Wasito Kirana’
Editor: Muhammad Duiqi Alfiansyah – Branding Team Faculty of Vocational
