## INTRODUCTION ![images (48).jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmebbScAomUb4VxKZ2SwcHdL1gZMmG54vptNTeS6H8mFDn/images%20(48).jpeg) [Source](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Focdn.eu%2Fimages%2Fpulscms%2FZWM7MDA_%2F5820500955f5959f6267ea005b0d84ca.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pulse.ng%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fngo-nfvcb-launch-campaign-against-smoking-in-nollywood-movies%2Fez2gqjg&tbnid=0ADZtE5Gy0-NvM&vet=1&docid=ioPsByOnWhEeMM&w=2119&h=1414&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim)

Greetings wonderful members of steemalive community. I'm delighted to participate in this week writing challenge titled, what is smoking and why is it harmful to our health. In this article, I would clearly write about smoking and how it affects our health. *** ## Smoking. Smoking is the burning and inhalation of substances. It is the act of emitting smoke. It is also the act of drawing in and blowing out the fumes of a burning substances.
Smoke is a visible vapour, gases and fine particles given off by burning a substance. The substance that is usually smoked are varieties of plant material. The type of plant that are usually smoked are Marijuana, Hashish and Tabacco Tobacco is the most common. It is used in making cigar, pipe tobacco, and cigarette. Though tobacco has some health benefit, but too intake of tobacco leads to health crisis. *** ## How common is smoking in your area. Smoking is very common in my area. Lots of young people in my area indulge in smoking. Some smoke cigarette, Cigar, Shisha and Marijuana. About 40% of people in my area smoke privately, while 20% smoke publicly. Smoking in public places in Nigeria is highly prohibited. Cigarette is mostly smoked in my area. The group of people that smoke the most are young adults aged 16-34 years. High rate of smoking is seen in males than females. If there are 80% of smokers around the world, 60% are make while 20% are females. Most entertainers all over the world are smokers. Because the entertainment industry rules the world, alot of Young people wishes to be like their favorite celebrities, hence they do everything they see their role models doing, smoking inclusive. *** ## What makes people to start smoking. People start smoking for various reasons. Some of the reasons include: * Peer pressure: Most people smoke because their friends are smokers. Friends have a way of influencing each other. When you sorround yourself with smokers, you are likely to start smoking as well. Most people when they go to club and see people smoking Shisha, they would want to smoke it too, in other to feel among. * Stress: Some people smoke to ease stress. They believe smoking helps relieve stress, hence the result to smoking anytime the are emotionally and physically stressed. * Genetic Factor: It sounds weird, but yeah genetics can be a factor that leads to smoking. Some people are susceptible to taking up the habit of smoking. Addiction in genetic makeup of an individual can make the person to start smoking. * Parental influence: When a child grows up in a home where parents are smokers, they are likely to start smoking when they become an adult. *** ![images (49).jpeg](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmRMHRRZ6UUNj3A5k6xwbTST7ZzvMJx8VVjQGHeCs8HwHt/images%20(49).jpeg) [Source](https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fpreviews.123rf.com%2Fimages%2Felenbushe%2Felenbushe1511%2Felenbushe151100009%2F47868518-the-dangers-of-smoking-the-lungs-of-a-healthy-person-and-smoker.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.123rf.com%2Fphoto_47868518_the-dangers-of-smoking-the-lungs-of-a-healthy-person-and-smoker.html&tbnid=I_56PtDmPSe1AM&vet=1&docid=G3zllAEi1HEquM&w=1300&h=1300&source=sh%2Fx%2Fim) ## Health Implications of smoking Smoking is very hazardous to our health. It could cause a very serious health issue to an adult. Smoking can lead to the following ailments. * Lung cancer: Cigarette has a major effect on lungs. It affects breathing. It also increase the risk of respiratory tract infection. * Heart problem. * It alters the sense of smell and taste. * It makes someone to look older than the age. It blackens the lip and yellow the teeth. * It also weakens the immune system. *** ## Reasons why I do not smoke 1. I do not want to die Young. In as much as death is inevitable and it could happen at any time, I do not want to contribute to an untimely death by engaging in smoking. I know the health condition it causes, I rather stay away from smoking than suffering for lung cancer, and heart problem in the future. I cannot use my money to damage my health. 2. Smoking does not run in my family blood. Nobody in my family smoked. I would not be the first smoker in my family. 3. Smokers look unhealthy. I do not want to have a yellow teeth and dark lips. Once anybody starts smoking, it might become an addiction. Stopping it is usually very difficult. I am never going to start smoking to avoid getting addicted. *** ## Conclusion Smoking is bad. It makes you an addict, you spend your hard earned money to buy Marijuana and cigarette , and you still end up damaging your lungs. Please stop smoking. I know is not easy to stop, but with determination, you can. Think about your health, and your family. Stop smoking today and live a long life. Thank you.