Smoking plays an important role in the development of diabetes; compared to non-smokers, current smokers have an increase in the occurrence of new onset diabetes.
According to new data published by Surgeon General Boris Lushniak, MD, MPH, diabetes is highlighted as one of the several diseases causally linked to smoking. [1]
According to new data published by Surgeon General Boris Lushniak, MD, MPH, diabetes is highlighted as one of the several diseases causally linked to smoking. [1]
Epidemiologic and Biological Evidence
The report includes a meta-analysis, which updates a 2007 systemic review.
The results were that, compared with nonsmokers, the smokers had a pooled risk for developing type 2 diabetes of 1.37.
The results were that, compared with nonsmokers, the smokers had a pooled risk for developing type 2 diabetes of 1.37.
Compared with never-smokers, the relative risk for developing diabetes increased with smoking intensity from 1.14 for former smokers to 1.25 for light smokers [0-19 or 0-15 cigarettes/day in the various studies] to 1.54 for heavy smokers [> 15 or > 20]. [1]
The Surgeon General's Report provides several possible biologic mechanisms for the causal connection between smoking cigarettes and the development of type 2 diabetes.
Smoking promotes central obesity, a risk factor for insulin resistance and diabetes.
This effect may be due to higher concentrations of cortisol and the differential effect of smoking on sex hormones, according to the data.
This effect may be due to higher concentrations of cortisol and the differential effect of smoking on sex hormones, according to the data.
Smoking increases inflammatory markers and oxidative stress, both implicated in insulin resistance development and abnormal metabolism of glucose. [1]
Studies have found functional nicotinic receptors on pancreatic beta and islet cells.
Nicotine could, at least in part, reduce insulin release via islet-cell receptors. Animal studies suggest prenatal [before birth, during or relating to pregnancy] or neonatal [relating to newborns] exposure to nicotine can cause beta-cell dysfunction and apoptosis [the death of cells] according to the report. [1]
Nicotine could, at least in part, reduce insulin release via islet-cell receptors. Animal studies suggest prenatal [before birth, during or relating to pregnancy] or neonatal [relating to newborns] exposure to nicotine can cause beta-cell dysfunction and apoptosis [the death of cells] according to the report. [1]
Moms who smoke during pregnancy increase the risk of their children developing diabetes
The disease process that leads to the development of type 2 diabetes may start in the womb at the beginning of life. Fetal growth and birth weight are predictive of diabetes risk in later years. [2]
Smoking during pregnancy affects fetal growth and often results in a baby of low birth weight.
There is direct evidence that a woman who smokes during pregnancy increases the risk of her child developing type 2 diabetes later in life. [2]
In the UK National Child Development Study, among the study participants who were diagnosed with diabetes by the age of 33 year, almost 60% had a mother who smoked during pregnancy.
It was further found that the more a mother had smoked during pregnancy, the greater the risk of her child developing diabetes in later life. [2]
Overweight Risk
A study in Germany found that schoolchildren with a mother who smoked during pregnancy were significantly more likely to be overweight or obese than children whose mother did not smoke when pregnant. [2]
Damaged neurological systems
Smoking during pregnancy may damage the development of the central nervous system.
This results in outcomes such as reduced intellectual development in children. [2]
This results in outcomes such as reduced intellectual development in children. [2]
Cardiovascular Disease
Smoking causes cardiovascular disease. Cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States. Cigarette smokers have a higher risk of developing fatty buildup in arteries, several types of cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [lung problems].
Atherosclerosis [buildup of fatty substances in the arteries] is a contributor to the high number of deaths from smoking.
Many studies show the evidence that cigarette smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. [3]
Atherosclerosis [buildup of fatty substances in the arteries] is a contributor to the high number of deaths from smoking.
Many studies show the evidence that cigarette smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease, which leads to heart attack. [3]
Secondhand Smoke can cause heart disease and lung cancer
Those who surround smokers are also at risk.
Non-smokers who inhale the smoke from others' cigarettes [secondhand smoke] can develop heart disease and lung cancer. [4]
Non-smokers who inhale the smoke from others' cigarettes [secondhand smoke] can develop heart disease and lung cancer. [4]
Smoking can cause strokes
Cigarette smoking causes about a two-fold increase in the risk of ischemic stroke and up to a four-fold increase in the risk of haemorrhagic stroke.
It has been linked to the buildup of fatty substances [atherosclerosis] in the carotid artery, the main neck artery supplying blood to the brain.
Also, nicotine raises blood pressure; carbon monoxide from smoking reduces the amount of oxygen your blood can carry to the brain; and cigarette smoke makes your blood thicker and more likely to clot. Smoking also promotes aneurysm formation.[5]
It has been linked to the buildup of fatty substances [atherosclerosis] in the carotid artery, the main neck artery supplying blood to the brain.
Also, nicotine raises blood pressure; carbon monoxide from smoking reduces the amount of oxygen your blood can carry to the brain; and cigarette smoke makes your blood thicker and more likely to clot. Smoking also promotes aneurysm formation.[5]
Smoking can cause cancer anywhere in the body
Cigarette smoking can cause cancer almost anywhere in the body. Cigarette smoking causes cancers of the lung, mouth, nose, throat, voicebox [larynx], oesophagus, liver, bladder, kidney, pancreas, colon, rectum, cervix, stomach, blood and bone marrow [acute myeloid leukemia]. [6]
Cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 90% of lung cancers.
Using other tobacco products such as pipes or cigars also increase the lung cancer risk.
Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. Many are poisons.
At least 70 are known to cause cancer in people or animals.
Using other tobacco products such as pipes or cigars also increase the lung cancer risk.
Tobacco smoke is a toxic mix of more than 7,000 chemicals. Many are poisons.
At least 70 are known to cause cancer in people or animals.
People who smoke cigarettes are 15 to 30 times more likely to get lung cancer or die from lung cancer than people who do not smoke.[6]
Smoking can lead to vision loss or blindness
Smoking can lead to vision loss. Studies show smoking increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and Dry Eye syndrome. [7]
Smoking causes blindness. [8]
Smoking causes hearing loss
Research from the University of Manchester in the UK found that smoking and passive smoking [seconhand smoking] may increase the risk of hearing loss.
The researchers calculated that smokers were 15.1% more likely to develop hearing loss, compared with passive smokers and non-smokers, while passive smokers were 28% more likely to develop hearing loss than non-smokers. [9]
A 2011 study from NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, NY, found that children exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of developing hearing loss in their teens. [9]
A 2011 study from NYU Langone Medical Center in New York, NY, found that children exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of developing hearing loss in their teens. [9]
Smoking affects diet and nutrition
Smoking affects the tastebuds. Smokings supplies the brain with nicotine, altering and suppressing the smoker's ability to taste flavours.
The reduced oxygen supply from inhaling nicotine contributes to dulling of flavour recognition in the mouth. [10]
Nicotine suppresses appetite because of its affects on the brain and the central nervous system.
Smoking irritates the nasal passages which can cause inflammation and impair the sense of smell. [10]
Is it morally right to smoke?
From a moral standpoint, everything we do which impacts upon the health, wellbeing and lives of others has a moral dimension.
It is clear from factual evidence and studies that smoking not only impacts upon the individual smoking, but on others within [during pregnancy] and without [secondary smokers].
Any action which leads to protracted self poisoning needs to be revisited.
Any action which leads to illness and poisoning of others is morally to be avoided.
Smoking; Self-poisoning?
Smoking contains a host of ingredients. [11] These include
- Sewer gas [methane]
- Toilet cleaner [ammonia]
- Arsenic [used in rat poison]
- Carbon monoxide [also known as CO, an odourless, colourless poisonous gas] [12]
- Nicotene [insecticide]
- Cadmium [batteries]
- Paint
- Toluene [industrial solvent]
- Stearic acid [candle wax]
- Butane [lighter fluid]
- Hexamine [barbecue lighter]
- Methanol [rocket fuel]
- Stearic acid [candle wax]
- Acetone [nail polish remover]
- Acetic acid [vinegar]
- Cyanide [poison]
- DDT [banned insecticide]
- Lead [poisonous in high doses]
- Polonium [cancer-causing radioactive element] [11]
Cigarettes containe multiple chemicals - many similar to to substances found in toxic waste dumps.
The American Lung Association says that at least 69 of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke are known to cause cancer and that many are poisonous. [11]
Best advice for smoking?
DON'T.
Need Help to Quit Smoking?
There are different ways to quit smoking.
WebMD explains;
The Effects of Smoking on Your Body
Smoking is harmful, extremely Addictive and Dangerous
[1] Tucker, Mirian E. Smoking causes Diabetes; Doctors should Help Patients Quit
[2] Montgomery, Scott M. A very bad start: smoking, pregnancy and diabetes
[3] American Heart Association; Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease [Heart Disease]
[4] Smoking and Heart Disease
[5] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke
Brain Basics; Preventing Stroke
[6] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
[7] New York State; Department of Health. Smoking can lead to vision loss or blindness
[8] Smoking causes blindness
[9] Whiteman, Honor. Smoking, passive smoking linked to hearing loss
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/277516.php
[10] McEwan, Andy; Dr. Smoking, how it affects diet and nutrition
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/effects-smoking-has-diet-nutrition-and-health
[11] Innes, Emma. Fancy a cigarette? From rat poison to nail polish remover, this list of ingredients might make you think twice about lighting up; Alleged News
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2617833/Fancy-cigarette-From-rat-poison-nail-polish-remover-list-ingredients-make-think-twice-lighting-up.html
[12] Gas Networks Ireland, RGI, NSAI, Irish LPGas. Carbon monoxide, the facts
http://www.carbonmonoxide.ie/htm/whatis.htm
[10] McEwan, Andy; Dr. Smoking, how it affects diet and nutrition
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/effects-smoking-has-diet-nutrition-and-health
[11] Innes, Emma. Fancy a cigarette? From rat poison to nail polish remover, this list of ingredients might make you think twice about lighting up; Alleged News
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2617833/Fancy-cigarette-From-rat-poison-nail-polish-remover-list-ingredients-make-think-twice-lighting-up.html
[12] Gas Networks Ireland, RGI, NSAI, Irish LPGas. Carbon monoxide, the facts
http://www.carbonmonoxide.ie/htm/whatis.htm
With thanks to medscape.com, idf.org, heart.org, webmd.com, ninds.nih.gov, cdc.gov, health.ny.gov, health.govt.nz, medicalnewstoday.com, bbcgoodfood.com, dailymail.co.uk, carbonmonoxide.ie, youtube, webmd.com
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