INDIA INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

SHARJAH

BIOLOGY INVESTIGATORY PROJECT ON

HOW CIGARETTES AFFECT YOUR HEALTH

CBSE
2023 – 2024
(Reg. No. 23007)

Submitted by: Submitted to:

Yameen Jafar Mrs. Kavitha

Class: XI – M Roll no.: 32

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Yameen Jafar, student of class

XI-M has successfully completed their Biology
Investigatory Project on the topic “How Cigarettes
Affect Your Health” under the guidance of Mrs.
Kavitha during the year 2023-2024.

Examiner Subject Teacher

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The accomplishment of any task stands as a testament

to the collaborative efforts invested by those who played
a crucial role.
I am privileged to seize this opportunity to extend my
sincerest appreciation and respect to all individuals who
contributed to the successful completion of this project.
It is with a deep sense of gratitude that I wish to
acknowledge the instrumental support, unwavering
assistance, and astute guidance offered by my esteemed
Biology teacher Mrs. Kavitha, at every juncture of this
endeavor. Her mentorship has been pivotal, and without
her invaluable contributions, this project would not
have seen the light of day.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to every individual who
lent their support.

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 INDEX

SR PAGE
NO.
TOPICS
NO.
1 Introduction 5

2 Smoking 6

3 Smoking Detrimental Impact On Health 7-10

4 Physical Addiction 11

5 Psychological Addiction 12-13

6 Side Effects Of Smoking 14-16

7 How To Quit Smoking 17-18

8 Non-Medication Therapy 19-20

9 Conclusion 21

10 Bibliography 22

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 INTRODUCTION
A cigarette is a small roll of tobacco wrapped in thin paper,
lit at one end, and smoked by inhaling the resulting smoke.
Modern cigarettes are often filtered and include
reconstituted tobacco and additives. The term "cigarette"
can also refer to similar devices with herbs or cannabis.
Cigars, on the other hand, are larger, using whole-leaf
tobacco.
Cigarette smoking rates vary worldwide, with stabilized or
declining rates in developed nations but rising rates in
developing countries. Smoking, including cigarettes, poses
severe health risks. Nicotine, the primary addictive chemical,
leads to addiction. About half of cigarette smokers die from
tobacco-related illnesses, shortening life by an average of 14
years. Smoking during pregnancy can result in various birth
defects and disabilities, both physical and mental.

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 SMOKING
 In the past, smoking was common everywhere, even
in hospitals, with pervasive cigarette ads.
 Today, awareness of smoking's dangers has grown,
resulting in bans on public smoking and cigarette
advertising.
 Smoking causes severe health problems, shortening
lives by around 14 years and causing financial strain.
 Nicotine addiction makes quitting tough due to its
strong grip.
 Many start smoking due to peer pressure and the
perception of being trendy.
 About 90% of tobacco users begin before 18, often
unaware of addiction risks.
 Avoiding smoking is the best way to prevent addiction
and its effects.

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 SMOKING'S DETRIMENTAL
IMPACT ON HEALTH
Unlike the essential needs of sustenance,
hydration, rest, and physical activity, the
body does not necessitate tobacco.
Several components within cigarettes,
such as nicotine and cyanide, are
actually toxic substances capable of
causing fatality in significant doses.

The human body is protective in nature. It mounts a

defense against poisons, even when self-inflicted. Novice
smokers frequently encounter sensations of discomfort or
irritation in the throat and lungs. Some individuals might
even feel nauseous or undergo vomiting during their initial
encounters with tobacco.

The consequences of this toxicity unfurl progressively over

time. Long-term smoking precipitates an array of health
issues, encompassing heart ailments, stroke, emphysema,
and diverse forms of cancer — including those of the lung,
throat, stomach, and bladder. Individuals who indulge in
smoking are also at a heightened risk of contracting
infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. These afflictions
curtail an individual's capacity for routine activities and can
even be life-threatening.

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Apart from the visible consequences, such
as wrinkles and stained teeth, smokers
experience reduced bone density,
escalating their vulnerability to
osteoporosis, a condition that renders
older individuals more susceptible to
bone fractures and a stooped posture.
Moreover, smoking impairs lung function,
often translating to decreased physical
activity compared to non-smokers.

The implications of smoking extend

beyond the confines of physical health,
affecting fertility and sexual well-being
in both genders.

Short-Term Effects of Smoking:

 Skin Problems: Blood vessels are affected, making skin
lackluster due to reduced oxygen and nutrients. It's
even linked to skin conditions like rashes.

 Bad Breath: Smoking leads to

persistent bad breath.

 Odor on Clothes and Hair: Smoke

smell sticks to clothes, hair, and
surroundings, and it's tough to
remove.
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 Athletic Performance Drop: Smoking
reduces physical abilities, making
smokers less competitive in sports.

 Injury Risk Increase: Collagen production is hindered,

leading to slower healing for injuries like tendon
damage.

 Illness Vulnerability: Smokers are more prone to

colds, flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia. It worsens
conditions like asthma.

 Weakened Immune System: Smoking weakens the

body's defense system against diseases. It's linked to
more cancers and respiratory infections.

 Impact on Lungs: Smoke's harmful

chemicals can damage organs and
suppress the immune system. Oxygen
transport is hampered, affecting
organs. Lung capacity shrinks due to
airway constriction and mucus
buildup, causing irritation and
infection. Blood pressure and heart
rate are also affected.

 Lung Problems: Smoking activates immune responses

against lung tissue, causing severe respiratory issues
like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
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This complex relationship between smoking, immunity,
and lung health is well-documented.

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 PHYSICAL ADDICTION
 Physical addiction implies the body's reliance on a
specific substance, including the physically addictive
nature of smoking. This dependence also involves the
development of tolerance, necessitating increasingly
larger doses for the desired effects.

 Ceasing the use of a substance to which someone is

physically addicted can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Common symptoms of withdrawal are diarrhea,
shaking, and an overall sense of discomfort.

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 PSYCHOLOGICAL
ADDICTION
Psychological addiction happens when the cravings for a
drug are psychological or emotional. People who are
psychologically addicted feel overcome by the desire to have
a drug. They may lie or steal to get it.
A person crosses the line between abuse and addiction when
he or she is no longer trying the drug to have fun or get high
but has come to depend on it. His or her whole life centers
on the need for the drug.
An addicted person - whether it's a physical or psychological
addiction or both - no longer feels like there is a choice in
taking a substance.

# Signs of Addiction

1. Psychological signals:
• Withdrawal or keeping secrets
from family and friends.
• Loss of interest in activities that
used to be important.

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• Use of drugs or alcohol as a way to forget problems or to
relax.
• Problems with schoolwork, such as slipping grades or
absences.
• Changes in friendships, such as hanging out only with
friends who use drugs.
• Spending a lot of time figuring out how to get cigarette.
• Stealing or selling belongings to be able to
afford cigarette.
• Failed attempts to stop taking cigarette or
drinking.
• Anxiety, anger, or depression.
• Mood swings.

2. Physical signals:
• Changes in sleeping habits.
• Feeling shaky or sick when trying to stop.
• Needing to take more of the substance to get the same
effect.
• Changes in eating habits, including weight loss or gain

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 SIDE EFFECTS OF SMOKING
# Dangers of Smoking with Nicotine:
 One of the main dangers of smoking
is due to Nicotine. Nicotine is found
naturally in tobacco. It has no
odor and no color. It is, however,
both physically and psychologically
addictive, and it causes those who
use it to want to smoke one cigarette
after another.
 Nicotine enters the body as tiny droplets resting on
particles of tar in cigarette smoke. Inhaled into the
lungs, the drug passes quickly into the bloodstream,
reaching the brain within about 10 seconds. In
another 5 to 10 seconds the nicotine has spread to all
parts of the body.
 The nicotine raises both the heart rate and blood
pressure. The smoker quickly feels more alert and
relaxed. In less than 30 minutes, however, about half of
the nicotine has left the bloodstream, and the smoker
starts feeling less alert, more edgy.

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# Dangers of Smoking with Tar:
 There are other dangers of smoking
as well. The tar from tobacco smoke
starts to accumulate on the
bronchial tubes leading to the
lungs. The hot smoke burns the
tiny hair like projections (called
cilia) that trap harmful particles
before they enter the lungs.

# Carbon Monoxide:
 One more of the dangers of smoking is Carbon
monoxide. Smoking also increases the level of carbon
monoxide in the lungs. This poisonous gas is quickly
absorbed into the blood, reducing its capacity to
carry oxygen.
 As a result, the smoker has to exert more physical effort
to attain a given task than does a nonsmoker. The heart
in particular must work harder, particularly during
rigorous exercise. Increased levels of carbon monoxide
in the blood can impair vision, perception of time, and
coordination.

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# Oxides of nitrogen:
 It is believed that nitrogen oxides are some specific
chemicals in tobacco that causes lung disease and
efizem.

# Hydrogen cyanide:
The lungs have some hairs (cilia) that
help to “clean” lungs by removing the
foreign substances. Hydrogen cyanide
prevents the development process of
clearing. The substances of cigarette
smoke remains in the lungs.

# Ammonia:
Ammonia is a powerful chemical found in household
products, it is used to preserve human bodies in the
morgue, which is also harmful to the lungs.

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HOW TO QUIT SMOKING?
The Various methods to stop smoking are:

1. Cold turkey cessation.

- Gradual reduction of cigarettes.
- Nicotine intake reduction over time.
- Nicotine replacement therapy, non-nicotine meds to curb
withdrawal.
- Nicotine support groups, hypnosis, acupuncture, or
counseling.
- Success might require trying different methods or their
combinations.

2. Medications:
- Reduce cravings and withdrawal.
- Best in comprehensive programs supervised by physicians.
FDA-approved options:

- Nicotine Replacement Therapy:

Replaces cigarettes with nicotine
substitutes (gum, patch) to ease
withdrawal, focusing on breaking
psychological addiction.

- Non-Nicotine Medication:
-Bupropion (Zyban or Wellbutrin): Non-nicotine
prescription antidepressant, reduces withdrawal
symptoms.
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-Varenicline (Chantix): Newer prescription drug that
interferes with nicotine receptors, lessening pleasurable
smoking effects and withdrawal symptoms. Start a week
before Quit Day.

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 NON-MEDICATION
THERAPIES
Apart from nicotine replacement therapy and prescription
medications, consider:
• Hypnosis: Effective in a relaxed state, it reinforces
quitting resolve and negative associations with
smoking. Consult your doctor or refer to American
Society of Clinical Hypnosis (ASCH) guidelines.

• Acupuncture: An ancient technique, it triggers

endorphin release, aiding relaxation. For smoking
cessation, seek referrals from your doctor or the
American Association of Acupuncture and Oriental
Medicine (AAAOM)

• Behavioral Therapy: Targets smoking habits and

rituals, promoting new coping skills. American Lung
Association's free online program focuses on behavioral
change. Local therapists can be found via the
Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies
(ABCT).

• Motivational Therapies: Self-help resources like

books and websites offer diverse motivation methods.
Calculating monetary savings post-quit has proven
effective for some.

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• Filters: Cigarette filters reducing tar and nicotine are
ineffective; they often lead to increased smoking.

• Smoking Deterrents: Various methods, like altering

tobacco taste or adopting stop-smoking diets, have been
used, alongside vitamins. Scientific backing for these
approaches is limited.

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 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, smoking's dangers are well-documented, from
nicotine's addictive grip to the harmful chemicals in
cigarettes. This habit poses significant threats to both
physical and mental well-being, elevating the risks of
diseases like heart conditions, strokes, and cancers.
Moreover, it impairs lung capacity, immunity, and athletic
performance.
To combat these risks, a variety of quitting strategies exist.
From traditional cold turkey methods to modern aids like
nicotine replacement therapy and non-nicotine medication,
numerous options are available. Non-medical approaches
such as hypnosis, acupuncture, and behavioral therapy also
provide effective alternatives. While quitting is a challenge,
the long-term health benefits are undeniable.
Ultimately, the choice to quit hinges on understanding
addiction and the range of available solutions. Breaking free
from smoking not only improves personal health but also
contributes to a healthier future for oneself and those
around them.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY
This project is made by using the analytical data
provided by the following websites:

• https://www.esmokingsideeffects.com
• https://www.causesofsmoking.net
• http://www.helpguide.org/mental/quit_smoking_
cessation.htm
• https://youtu.be/Y18Vz51Nkos?si=V0MbcCHI7LG
-FJ_G

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