"We are losing too many of our mothers and daughters prematurely.
" (Tommy Thomson, Health and Human Services Secretary).
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Cigarette smoking has been part of the American culture for decades. Smoking is the nation's leading cause of preventable death, claming more than 400,000 lives a year, according to the federal government. (Neergaard) It has been proven time and again that tobacco products not only increase the risk of disease in humans, but also increases the chances of taking human lives. In 1964, the Surgeon General's report on smoking increased awareness of the damage it causes among Americans. However, since that report, the war on tobacco companies has been focused on preventing our young people from starting the habit. However, America is not yet fully aware of the hazardous and devastating effects smoking has had on women. In 1999, approximately 165,000 women died prematurely from smoking-related diseases, such as cancer and heart disease. Women also face unique health effects from smoking such as problems related to pregnancy. (Women and smoking) Women should know the dangerous effe!.
cts of smoking and how tragically this habit can end their life as well as their children from smoking during pregnancy. Also, once they start smoking, it will be difficult to stop and that the health risks are very real and costly. .
Why do women continue to smoke today? There are three major reasons why women can't quit smoking. First of all, they get addicted to cigarettes. Cigarettes have nicotine, which is very addictive. This chemical is so poisonous that only fifty milligrams (less than half an ounce) of it, injected into a vein, will kill a person. (Why quit smoking?) Also, when you get addicted to cigarettes, you depend on nicotine to control your mood psychologically, which lead smoking to become a habit. Because they always smoke in certain time, they feel like they should have cigarette in certain time.