2008 Woodie Awards
Students smoke away their health
Nicole Fortuna
Issue date: 10/10/06 Section: Features
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It would be an understatement to say that Hollywood gives contorted images and perceptions of reality. Whether it's the trite and proverbial dialogue, or the last-minute change-of-heart the protagonist endures at the end of the movie, audiences are not experiencing a solid sense of truth while watching. One of the trademarks of classic movies, of course, is smoking that delectable cigarette before a romantic or intense scene. This seemingly attractive habit or social convention has managed to debilitate the health of millions across America and, according to the American Lung Association's website (slati.lungusa.org) smoking is the top preventable cause for premature mortality internationally. Now that is something Hollywood left out.
Mary Jane Rogan, West Chester University's Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Program coordinator, said that there are several short as well as long-term ramifications of habitual smoking. Ineffective breathing and skin wrinkles (for both men and women) are gradual consequences of smoking.
The Suburban Lung Associates located in Winsfield, Illinois found that smoking habitually "more than triples the average person's chance of premature facial wrinkling." Rogan said that smoking can develop a permanent aroma within one's clothes as well. This smell, however, according to Suburban Lung Associates, is not as palpable to smokers due to the fact that smoking debilitates the gustatory and olfactory senses.
More grave effects include those that can be fatal. According to the Suburban Lung Associates, carcinogens, or cancer-probing particles, ultimately lead to various kinds of cancers such as throat, mouth, kidney, pancreas and other diseases like emphysema, asthma and chronic coughing. For women, the danger is much more intense in that women are susceptible to cervical cancer, according to Rogan, in addition to a greater chance of having lung cancer than men. Suburban Lung Associates states that for women cardiovascular diseases are prominent and the use of oral contraceptives can heighten this susceptibility.
Mary Jane Rogan, West Chester University's Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Program coordinator, said that there are several short as well as long-term ramifications of habitual smoking. Ineffective breathing and skin wrinkles (for both men and women) are gradual consequences of smoking.
The Suburban Lung Associates located in Winsfield, Illinois found that smoking habitually "more than triples the average person's chance of premature facial wrinkling." Rogan said that smoking can develop a permanent aroma within one's clothes as well. This smell, however, according to Suburban Lung Associates, is not as palpable to smokers due to the fact that smoking debilitates the gustatory and olfactory senses.
More grave effects include those that can be fatal. According to the Suburban Lung Associates, carcinogens, or cancer-probing particles, ultimately lead to various kinds of cancers such as throat, mouth, kidney, pancreas and other diseases like emphysema, asthma and chronic coughing. For women, the danger is much more intense in that women are susceptible to cervical cancer, according to Rogan, in addition to a greater chance of having lung cancer than men. Suburban Lung Associates states that for women cardiovascular diseases are prominent and the use of oral contraceptives can heighten this susceptibility.
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