“Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.” Each puff of tobacco smoke contains 10 to the fifteenth oxidative particles. That is a powerful oxidant bombardment that accelerates aging and chronic disease development generally. Oxidants in tobacco smoke persistently activate the epidermal growth factor receptor in the center of the diagram.
Persistent EGFR activation kills alveolar cells to cause emphysema and produces wild unregulated growth of other lung cells to cause lung cancer and resistance to EGFR inhibiting chemotherapy. Stopping smoking and the other green box interventions in the top half of the diagram reduce oxidant production and subsequent EGFR activation.
Smoking is a terrible habit. Both my parents smoked for many years. My mom quit cold turkey while pregnant with my youngest brother. My dad would have more than one lit at the same time at work. He finally quit cold turkey as well. But unfortunately for me and my brother we were exposed to it all day and night for most of our lives. We both also have asthma which I blame, second hand smoke from.
Thank you again, Bill. Very helpful clarification about smoking issues.