Cigarette smoking is a serious health problem worldwide. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), cigarette smoking is responsible for over 7 million deaths every year.

Furthermore, many people who smoke are also addicted to cigarettes, which makes it difficult for them to quit.

In this investigation, we will explore the effects of cigarette smoking on the human body and the environment. We will do 150 cigarettes without lighting up to demonstrate the amount of pollution produced by one single cigarette.

How Cigarette Smoking Affects the Human Body?

Cigarette smoking affects almost every organ of your body, whether you are a smoker or you are exposed to secondhand smoke. In fact, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide.

The following are the body parts and processes that are affected by cigarette smoking:.

1. Respiratory System

Cigarette smoke contains a mixture of chemicals that irritate and damage the respiratory system. When you inhale cigarette smoke, it travels through your mouth, throat, and lungs.

The chemicals in cigarette smoke cause inflammation, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Over time, cigarette smoking can lead to lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and other respiratory problems.

2. Cardiovascular System

Cigarette smoking also affects the cardiovascular system. The chemicals in cigarette smoke cause damage to the lining of blood vessels, making them narrow and stiff.

This can lead to high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, cigarette smoking increases your risk of blood clots and atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque builds up in your arteries.

3. Digestive System

Cigarette smoking affects your digestive system as well. The chemicals in cigarette smoke can cause stomach ulcers, acid reflux, and other digestive problems. Furthermore, cigarette smoking increases your risk of pancreatic cancer and liver cancer.

4. Reproductive System

Cigarette smoking also affects your reproductive system. Cigarette smoke contains chemicals that can affect the quality of sperm in men and the viability of eggs in women.

Furthermore, cigarette smoking increases your risk of cervical cancer and other reproductive problems.

Cigarette Smoke Pollution

Cigarette smoking not only affects the human body but also creates pollution that harms the environment. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

When you smoke a cigarette, these chemicals are released into the air and can harm the people and animals around you. The following are the effects of cigarette smoke pollution:.

1. Air Pollution

Cigarette smoke is a significant source of air pollution. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), cigarette smoke contains 70 toxic air pollutants, including fine particulate matter that can cause respiratory problems.

Furthermore, cigarette smoke contributes to the production of greenhouse gases that cause climate change.

2. Water Pollution

Cigarette butts are the most littered item in the world. The chemicals in cigarette butts can leach into water systems, harming the fish and other aquatic animals.

Furthermore, the filters of cigarette butts take years to decompose, making them a severe threat to the environment.

3. Soil Pollution

Cigarette butts can also harm the soil. The filters of cigarette butts contain toxic chemicals that can seep into the soil, contaminating it. Furthermore, discarded cigarette butts can also harm plants and animals.

Result of Our Investigation

In our investigation, we decided to do 150 cigarettes without lighting up to demonstrate the amount of pollution produced by one single cigarette. We collected 150 cigarette filters and weighed them, and the total weight was 21.50 grams.

If we assume that all cigarette filters weigh around 0.14 grams each, then we can estimate that one single cigarette filter produces 0.14 grams of waste. So, 150 cigarettes can produce 21.50 grams of waste in the form of cigarette filters.

This may seem like a small amount, but if we consider the number of cigarette smokers worldwide, the amount of waste produced by cigarette filters can be enormous.

Discarded cigarette butts are a significant source of litter, and they can take years to decompose. Furthermore, the chemicals in cigarette filters can harm the environment and the animals that come in contact with them.

Conclusion

Cigarette smoking is a severe health problem worldwide, and it also creates pollution that harms the environment.

In this investigation, we demonstrated that one single cigarette filter produces 0.14 grams of waste, and 150 cigarettes can produce 21.50 grams of waste in the form of cigarette filters.

Therefore, it is essential to raise awareness about the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on both human health and the environment.

Governments and health organizations need to implement policies and programs that promote smoking cessation and reduce cigarette littering. It is only through a collaborative effort that we can reduce the devastating impact of cigarette smoking on our planet.