Today, I Bring you the Raw and Real Info on Smoking Tobacco!

I try to bring a balanced awareness and solutions to addiction here. I do this to help you and to touch everyone’s lives who stop by here. There are so many addictions and so little time. A memory of a fresh tracheotomy patient that I had years ago in the hospital came to mind. This patient of mine had throat cancer from smoking and her trach was still raw. Her need was so great that she would lock herself in the patient bathroom and risk her life, and the lives of everyone in the hospital, to smoke through her tracheostomy opening. I would see smoke pouring out of the bottom of the bathroom door. She could have blown everyone away with all of the oxygen in use. She didn’t care. Her addiction was that powerful.

Smoking tends to get swept under the rug for many reasons; however, it needs to be brought into the light. The tobacco industry did a good job of brainwashing its customers. When I look around, there are so many people who have made smoking a way of life and have turned their faces against understanding just how they are harming themselves, and everyone around them with passive smoke.

Most clients I’ve had over the years, I’ve also had to help them quit smoking after getting them healed from other addictions. I usually get a little bit of an argument in that they tell me that they have to have ‘something to do’ after all they’ve been through. They don’t realize that they still have quite a way to go before they’re are declared healed. We can’t exchange one addiction for another. We must, as believers, treat our bodies as Jesus tells us to. We are His Temple and His Temple can NOT be defiled. So, to begin, I’ve put a partial list of diseases caused by smoking. Some you may know; others, you may be learning for the first time.

Diseases Caused by Smoking

Smoking is a leading cause of numerous diseases, many of which are fatal or severely debilitating. These include:

1. Cancer
   • Lung cancer
   • Throat cancer
   • Mouth cancer
   • Esophageal cancer
   • Bladder cancer
   • Kidney cancer
   • Pancreatic cancer
   • Cervical cancer
   • Stomach cancer
2. Respiratory Diseases
   • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
   • Emphysema
   • Chronic bronchitis
   • Reduced lung function and asthma exacerbation
3. Cardiovascular Diseases
   • Coronary heart disease
   • Stroke
   • Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
   • Aortic aneurysm
4. Reproductive and Birth Complications
   • Infertility
   • Low birth weight
   • Preterm birth
   • Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
5. Other Conditions
   • Diabetes
   • Osteoporosis
   • Rheumatoid arthritis
   • Immune system suppression
   • Vision problems, including macular degeneration and cataracts

In the journey of addiction recovery, especially within a Christian framework, recognizing the physical, spiritual, and emotional harm caused by various substances is crucial. Smoking tobacco, whether in the form of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or e-cigarettes, is a habit that often goes under-examined in recovery circles. Yet, its dangers are profound, and understanding the ingredients in tobacco products can help illuminate why quitting is not just a health decision but also an act of stewardship over the body God has entrusted to us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

The Ingredients in Tobacco and Their Dangers

Tobacco products contain more than 7,000 chemicals, most of which are harmful to the human body. Below, we’ll examine some of the most common chemicals found in tobacco and their typical uses outside of smoking. This information underscores the unnatural and toxic nature of these substances. As you read these toxic ‘ingredients’, ask yourself if you would use any of these alone and why not?

1. Tar
   • Role in Tobacco: Tar is not a single ingredient but a collection of hundreds of chemicals produced when tobacco is burned. It is what stains smokers’ teeth and lungs.
   • Dangers: Tar damages the cilia in the lungs, leading to respiratory issues like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer.
   • Common Uses: The sticky, dark substance is often used in road paving and roofing materials—hardly something designed for human inhalation.
2. Carbon Monoxide
   • Role in Tobacco: This odorless, colorless gas is released when tobacco is burned.
   • Dangers: It reduces the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, forcing the heart to work harder and increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
   • Common Uses: Carbon monoxide is a byproduct of engine exhaust and is also used in industrial processes.
3. Formaldehyde
   • Role in Tobacco: Formaldehyde is formed when tobacco burns and is inhaled by smokers.
   • Dangers: This chemical is a known carcinogen, causing irritation to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs and increasing the risk of cancer.
   • Common Uses: Formaldehyde is used to preserve dead animals and in embalming fluid.
4. Arsenic
   • Role in Tobacco: Arsenic is absorbed into tobacco plants from pesticides and soil.
   • Dangers: This toxic substance can cause skin, lung, and bladder cancers and negatively affects the cardiovascular system.
   • Common Uses: Arsenic is commonly used in rat poison.
5. Ammonia
   • Role in Tobacco: Ammonia is added to enhance nicotine absorption, increasing its addictive qualities.
   • Dangers: Prolonged exposure irritates the respiratory tract and can damage lung tissue.
   • Common Uses: Ammonia is a powerful cleaning agent found in household cleaners.
6. Acetone
   • Role in Tobacco: Found in cigarette smoke, acetone is a volatile organic compound.
   • Dangers: It can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system.
   • Common Uses: Acetone is a primary ingredient in nail polish remover.
7. Benzene
   • Role in Tobacco: Benzene is released in cigarette smoke from the burning of tobacco and its additives.
   • Dangers: Benzene is a known carcinogen linked to leukemia and other blood disorders.
   • Common Uses: Benzene is used in the production of plastics, resins, and synthetic fibers.
8. What about Nicotine, you ask? Current studies have shown, and continue to show that pure Nicotine alone, when NOT smoked, but is applied to the skin in small doses as a transdermal patch (3.5mg per 24 hours) may:
   • Play a significant role in preventing and healing viruses such as Covid
   • Have Antidepressant Properties
   • Increase Neurotransmitters
   • Possess Neuroprotective Properties
   • Treat Schizophrenia 
   • Manage Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
   • Control Alzheimer’s Disease
   • Help in Weight and Insulin Control
   • Increase Brain Waves
   • Manage Parkinson’s Disease
   •  Protect Gut
   • Repair Body Tissues
   • And more!

WARNING: If you decide you want to wear a nicotine patch for possible disease prevention and potential cures, please do so only when you have consulted with your licensed physician or naturopathic doctor, as I have. And, ‘yes’, in our home, since we refused to be shot in the arm, we each wear a 3.5mg transdermal patch since right after the onset of Covid.

Why Has the Tobacco Industry Poisoned the Pure Tobacco Plant?

The tobacco plant in its natural form has been altered and manipulated by the tobacco industry to enhance its addictive potential and appeal. Pure, unprocessed tobacco contains nicotine, but the industry’s practices have made the substance far more harmful. These include:

1. Chemical Additives for Addiction
   • The addition of ammonia and other chemicals enhances nicotine absorption, making the drug more addictive. This ensures that smokers become dependent on their products, guaranteeing consistent sales.
2. Flavor Enhancements
   • Ingredients such as sugars, menthol, and cocoa are added to improve the taste and reduce the harshness of tobacco smoke. These additives mask the natural bitterness of tobacco, making it more palatable and enticing, especially for younger users.
3. Preservatives and Combustion Agents
   • Chemicals like formaldehyde are used to preserve the tobacco and maintain shelf life, while others facilitate smoother combustion. These processes introduce additional toxins into the smoke.
4. Market Appeal Through Nicotine Engineering
   • The tobacco industry has developed methods to control the nicotine levels in their products precisely, ensuring smokers get a “satisfying” hit with each puff. This meticulous engineering heightens addiction and makes quitting even harder.
5. Cost-Cutting Measures
   • The use of reconstituted tobacco, which involves recycling tobacco stems and other waste materials, allows companies to cut costs. However, this practice introduces additional chemicals into the final product.

The Consequences of These Practices

The result of these industry tactics is a product that is exponentially more dangerous than pure tobacco. These additives and modifications have turned a natural plant into a deadly cocktail of toxins that cause immense harm to the body. This level of manipulation reflects a prioritization of profit over public health, exploiting human weakness for financial gain.

The Takeaway:

“Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.”
(1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NKJV)

Have a blessed rest of you day today. Praying that this article helped. Hope to see you ‘smoke free’ next post!