Smoking is not a habit, nor a vice. It´s a chronic addictive disease. The dependence to the nicotine prevents the free cessation of the consumption of cigarettes, according to the number of cigarettes per day and the smoking years.
THE CIGARETTE IS THE FIRST AVOIDABLE CAUSE OF DEATH AND DISEASE.
This year the world commemoration this day emphasizes the direct relationship between this direct illness with respiratory diseases such as Epoc, lung cancer and pulmonary fibrosis.
According to official statistics, 1 out of 2 smokers suffer from respiratory diseases.
COPD Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is the third cause of death in the world with a decrease in life expectancy and a very significant impact on the quality of life.
Lung cancer has had evolutionary changes in patients who are diagnosed early, but most patients have late manifestations of the disease with a short survival after the diagnosis.
In asthma, smoking is an aggravating factor of the disease, modifying its pathogenesis and it`s response to treatment, increasing consultations and hospitalizations.
This problem also affects those who live with smokers, mainly children, increasing cases of respiratory infections, otitis and diarrhea.
Contribution of Dr. Sandra Peña, Pneumologist of the British Hospital staff.