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bladder, pancreas, and kidneys is common and believed to be due to the pollution of the body by tar and carbon monoxide from cigarette smoking. "30% of all cancer deaths are caused by [smoking], as are 80% to 90% of all lung cancer deaths" (157). The tar that sticks to a smoker's lungs causes chronic lung diseases such as bronchitis and emphysema (Pringle 30). In fact, 80% to 90% of all chronic obstructive lung diseases is caused by smoking (157). Women face even more health hazards from cigarettes. Cervical cancer, unwanted side-effects of oral contraceptives, and early menopause can be caused by smoking. Women who are pregnant and choose to smoke, risk spontaneous abortion, pre-term birth, a low weight baby, and fetal or infant death. Nicotine can even be transmitted from mother to baby through breast milk (157).

After evaluating the effects of cigarette smoking, one may feel an intense desire to quit, but the addictive properties of nicotine make this a difficult task. "There is no doubt that cigarettes produce a deep dependence" (Krumholz 16). There are two kinds of treatment programs for cigarette addiction: full-treatment programs and minimal programs. Full-treatment programs involve ongoing contact with professional staff who attempt to try to change how smokers think and feel about smoking being an effective method of gaining pleasure and stress reduction (161-162). This method can be particularly useful to the heavier, more nicotine-dependant smoker, who has had a difficult time quitting with the minimal method. The minimal method is a more personal method of quitting smoking. The smoker is accountable only to oneself. Mass media campaigns against smoking, self-help books for quitting, and the assistance of nicotine replacement therapies (the nicotine patch, gum, inhaler, and nasal spray) are all part of the minimal method. Most people try to quit with this method because of its low cost and small amount of professional time required (161-163).

Cigarette smoking is a deadly habit. The odds for smokers are not goodtheir rates for fatal diseases are significantly higher than the rates for nonsmokers. If a smoker manages to escape lung cancer, there is a multitude of other cancers and diseases that may infect him or her. Cigarette smoking's only effect on the human body is fatality.

Works Cited

Maisto, Steven A., Mark Galizio, Gerard J. Connors. Drug Use And Abuse. 3rd ed.
Harcourt Brace, FL: 1999.

Pringle, Laurence. Smoking: A Risky Business. Morrow, NY: 1996.

Krumholz, Harlan M., Phillips, Robert H. No If's, And's or Butts: the Smoker's Guide To Quitting. Avery, NY: 1993.

Learn more about this author, Erin K. Wiedemer.
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