Smoking - kills

Smoking is a silent killer. It claims lives, steals health, and burdens society with its lethal consequences. Each puff draws you closer to a host of diseases, from cancer to heart ailments. The allure of a momentary escape masks the grim reality of addiction and decline. It's a costly habit, not just in terms of money, but in the years it steals from life. The choice to smoke is a choice against well-being, a gamble with the most precious asset: time. Embrace life, breathe freely, and choose health over harm.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

Smoking is a perilous pursuit, and the statistics are stark. Every year, over 78,000 people in the UK die from smoking-related causes. Lung cancer, the most common cancer caused by smoking, accounts for around 35,000 deaths annually. Smokers are 15 times more likely to develop lung cancer compared to non-smokers. Moreover, smoking is responsible for approximately 50% of all preventable deaths in smokers, cutting lives short by an average of 10 years.

Financially, the habit is equally damaging. A pack-a-day smoker can spend over £4,000 annually on cigarettes. This doesn't include the additional healthcare costs incurred from smoking-related illnesses, which cost the NHS approximately £2.5 billion each year. Second-hand smoke also poses a threat, with children exposed to it at risk of developing respiratory infections, asthma, and even sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Quitting smoking not only saves money but significantly improves health. Within one year of quitting, the risk of heart disease drops by half, and within 10 years, the risk of lung cancer falls to about half that of a current smoker. The benefits of quitting are profound and immediate, offering a path to a healthier, longer life.

Author: Dr. Norbert Stute with the help of ChatGPT 4.0, Date: 19.12.25