Inhaling the smoke from tobacco. Also, inhaling the smoke from marijuana and opium.
The action of smoking a cigarette, pipe or cigar.
Inhalation of the fumes of burning tobacco leaves. Long thought soothing and fashionable, smoking has in recent decades been increasingly recognized as a major health hazard. Were it not that tobacco smoking has been part of American history from its earliest days, smoking might well be considered simply another form of substance abuse. Like other abused substances, tobacco causes changes in the body; its nicotine produces addiction, with withdrawal symptoms if use ends.
The art of safeguarding meat and fish through the meticulous practice of subjecting them to the ethereal embrace of woodfire smoke. A quintessential element in this process is the utilization of a wood fire, often accompanied by the addition of sawdust to engender a thick and enveloping smoke. The resulting flavor bestowed upon the sustenance in question is contingent upon the specific wood variant employed. Each unique wood type such as juniper, oak, beech, hickory, and more imparts its own distinctive essence. In certain venerable abodes, specially designed chimneys were constructed with the sole purpose of facilitating the smoking ritual. Alternatively, dedicated outbuildings served as designated spaces for this purpose in other dwellings.
The act of breathing in tobacco smoke emitted by cigarettes, cigars, or pipes leads to inhalation of tobacco smoke. Smoking is linked to over 100,000 deaths annually in the UK. This habit gives rise to severe health conditions including lung cancer, bronchitis, emphysema, coronary artery disease, and peripheral vascular disease. Moreover, it heightens the likelihood of developing mouth cancer, lip cancer, and throat cancer.
Smoking poses significant dangers when practiced during pregnancy. Newborns of women who smoke tend to be smaller in size and have a lower chance of survival compared to babies born to non-smoking mothers. Additionally, children whose parents smoke have a higher likelihood of experiencing asthma or other respiratory illnesses.
Moreover, there is evidence indicating that individuals exposed to secondhand smoke face an elevated risk of tobacco-related health issues. Additionally, passive smokers experience immediate discomfort upon inhaling smoke, which is evident through symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and irritated eyes.
Tobacco is recognized for containing numerous harmful chemicals. The addiction to tobacco is driven by nicotine, which not only has a calming effect but also triggers the release of adrenaline into the bloodstream, potentially leading to elevated blood pressure. The tar present in tobacco causes consistent irritation of the respiratory system and is believed to be a significant contributor to the development of lung cancer. Carbon monoxide is transported from the lungs into the bloodstream, where it readily combines with hemoglobin in red blood cells, disrupting the oxygenation of tissues. Over time, sustained high levels of carbon monoxide in the blood result in the hardening of arteries, significantly escalating the risk of coronary thrombosis.