Do you have a habit? It is a good or bad habit? Well, let me tell you about this habit that
many people endure. Some habits form as children, teenagers and others as adults. The habit that
is obtain by many Americans appears at their doorsteps at any age. Yes, smoking is a habit that
eventually becomes a necessity. Smoking might be relaxing to many people, but the truth is that
there is more to the issue. The truth that many people ignore is that smoking has many bad side
affects and can cause diseases. Smoking is one of the leading causes of death in America.
Another thing that many people do not know or realize is that smoking is the second leading
cause of fire-related injuries. Research has proven that smoking cigarettes causes many injuries
and accidents, thus making this a factual statement. There are many more reasons why cigarettes
cause injuries, but this does not stop many people from leaving their smoking habit like a friend
that I know.
        First of all, to those who smoke such as my friend, smoking leaves a bad odor on the
clothes and in the mouth which I consider a turn off. Many people smoke on their way to work or
on their way to school. Once you wash your mouth in the morning, it is not reasonable that one
will be able to wash their mouth again. Due to this, people go to their destination smoking and
smelling all day long. As I know my friend goes to school and smokes on the way to school, then
goes to work, that means that he does not wash his mouth until he gets home. Imagine how one
would smell smoking three to five times a day without changing clothes or washing one’s mouth.
You, as the smoker, do not think about this, but in reality the odor sticks to the clothes which
can be a big turn off to others, especially to girls who do not like smoke. This would affect any
guy who smokes. Not only can it be a turn off, but also it can lead to accidents or injuries.
        This factual statement about smoking cigarettes and getting injured or in an accident may
not ever cross the smoker’s mind, but it is true. Smoking cigarettes can result in an injury or
 tragedy. Real life studies or research show that many people get injured from smoking-related
fires.  Many smokers, such as my friend, might have not yet experienced this, but it is true that
many residential fires result from a smoldering cigarette igniting a home bedding or furniture.
Four percent of house fires have occurred since smokers have left their matches, lighter, or other
smoking materials near a child’s reach. Fires are the fourth leading cause of injury, claiming
4,385 lives in 1998. Cigarettes caused an estimated 1,419 of these deaths and 3,766 of non-fatal
fire related injuries. These fire injuries are nothing but facts and more injuries have occurred
while driving.
            Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death among persons age one through
thirty-four in the United States. Compared with nonsmokers, smokers may have a 50%
increased risk of motor vehicle crashes (MVC’s) and appear to be more likely to be involved in
Injury-producing MVC’s at night. In a Montreal study, drivers involved in MVC’s that resulted in
injury or death were 1.75 times more likely to smoke while driving. Smokers
have a higher percentage of injury rates than nonsmokers do. This is information to consider
since many smoke while driving, and it worries those who have friends and family who always
smoke while driving (Smokers and Injuries: An Overview. Sacks pg. 2-4.)
        Another worry that I have towards my friend, who is a smoker, is that he might end
up with a disease. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemical substances, many of which
have been linked to the development of diseases. Gases in cigarette smoke that pose a great
threat to health are hydrogen cyanide, nitrogen oxides, and especially carbon monoxide. The
carbon monoxide is a poisonous gas, which can go into the blood preventing oxygen from
reaching the brain, heart and other muscles. Another dangerous substance obtain by smoking a
cigarette is Particulates or often referred as tar. These particulates have a variety of health-
damaging substances, one is nicotine, which is the most hazardous.  Many may not know that 60
milligrams can kill an adult if taken all at once. These substances may contribute to high rate of
heart disease among smokers. Also, it affects the function of the lungs and more if the cigarette is
well filtered.  In the late 80's, smoking contributed to about 30 percent of all deaths from cancer
in the United States, about 20 percent of all U.S deaths from heart disease and an 85 percent of
all cases of lung cancer (World Book Encyclopedia. Pages 126-127).
        Information shows that many smokers have been quitting throughout the years. It will be
a joy to me and to others if their friends and family make up a percent of those smokers who are
quitting. However that has not occurred, but with the help of ours, significant ones can be helped
to leave this ugly habit. The most important key in helping a heavy smoker to quit, I believe, is
patience. For those who are out their facing smoke at home or in the work place I emphasize just
to let yourself be patient and understanding, but over all, be considerate with a helping hand.
        Many people, such as me, try to help smokers quit, which is something that is not easily
accomplished, because we face many contradictions. Many smokers might say that is their life
and to stay out of their personal habits. Others, such as my friend, might say, “I am not perfect
and neither are you”. This kind of negativity towards our advice can put us down, but do not
forget that a friend or family can be also in danger. Many persons such as myself, might ask
smokers why they spend so much money on cigarettes. Instead of spending so much money on
junk, smokers can buy some new clothes or real necessities. Some are able to reason, while
others just ignore you since it is their life and money.
        Smoking habits come at different ages. Many people have significant ones that smoke.
The truth is that smoking has many bad effects. One is that it can cause one to get injured by fire
or being distracted while driving. What is worse is that cigarettes cause many diseases, such as
cancer and heart disease. Even though many do not want to be helped, one should be patient.