“No drug ever ingested by humans can rival the long-term debilitating effects of tobacco; the carnage perpetuated by its purveyors; the merciless irreversibility of destiny once the victim contracts lung cancer or emphysema; the militant denial on the part of those who, with the support of stockholders and the sanction of governments, legally push their lethal merchandise across borders and continents killing every year 6.5 million people worldwide. DEATH IS IN CIGARETTES!” K. H. Ginzel, M.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Arkansas.

“No drug ever ingested by humans can rival the long-term debilitating effects of tobacco; the carnage perpetuated by its purveyors; the merciless irreversibility of destiny once the victim contracts lung cancer or emphysema; the militant denial on the part of those who, with the support of stockholders and the sanction of governments, legally push their lethal merchandise across borders and continents killing every year 6.5 million people worldwide. DEATH IS IN CIGARETTES!” K. H. Ginzel, M.D., Professor of Pharmacology and Toxicology at the University of Arkansas.

The Core Plan to Prevent Chronic Diseases

Our main goal is to increase the number of Filipinos who are healthy at every stage of life- from conception to resurrection. Our strategy provides evidence-based recommendations fundamental to improving the nation’s health through the active engagement of all sectors of society to help achieve these goals. These evidence-based recommendations will reduce the burden of leading causes of preventable death and major illness. Here is the second of seven priority areas:

2 TOBACCO-FREE LIVING

We would need volumes of books to discuss in detail the 7,000 chemicals, including 250 poisonous and 70 cancer causing substances in cigarettes. Let us just take a closer look at some of the MOST HARMFUL ones.

TSNAs : Tobacco-specific N-nitrosamines (TSNAs) are some of the most potent carcinogens present in smokeless tobacco, snuff and tobacco smoke. Two of these chemical compounds, NNN and NNK, have been classified as Group 1 carcinogens.

BENZENE : Benzene can be found in pesticides and gasoline. It is present in high levels in cigarette smoke, and accounts for half of all human exposure to this hazardous chemical.

FORMALDEHYDE : Formaldehyde is part of the resin used in foam insulation, plywood, fiberboard, particleboard and to preserve dead bodies. It can cause nasal cancer, as well as damaging the digestive system, skin and lungs.

PESTICIDES : Pesticides are used on our lawns and gardens, and inhaled into our lungs via cigarette smoke.

TAR : Tar consists of several cancer-causing chemicals. When a smoker inhales cigarette smoke, 70% of the tar remains in the lungs. Tar is the residue produced by the burning of tobacco. Tar in cigarette smoke paralyzes the cilia in the lungs, and contributes to lung diseases such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and lung cancer.

HEAVY METALS Toxic or heavy metals are metals and metal compounds that can harm our health when absorbed or inhaled. In very small amounts, some of these metals support life, but can become toxic when taken in large amounts.

ARSENIC : One of the most dangerous compounds, commonly used in rat poison. Arsenic can cause cancer as well as damage the heart and its blood vessels. Over time, it accumulates in smokers’ bodies, and even worsens the effect of other chemicals by interfering with our body’s ability to repair our DNA. This ability for DNA repair is what gives us a longer, healthier life.

CADMIUM : Cadmium is a toxic heavy metal used to make batteries. This toxic metal not only causes cancer, but also damages kidneys as well as the linings of the arteries.

LEAD : Lead damages the nerves in the brain, kidneys and reproductive system. Lead intake can also cause stomach problems and anemia. It is a known carcinogen and particularly toxic to children. Lead is used in paint and metal alloys.

RADIOACTIVE ISOTOPES There are a couple of toxic metals in cigarette smoke that carry an extra punch of danger for anyone breathing them in: they are radioactive.

LEAD-210 (Pb-210) and POLONIUM-210 (Po-210) are poisonous, radioactive heavy metals present in cigarette smoke. Polonium is known to release alpha-radiation that damages cells in the lungs and airways. Certain types of radiation, including alpha-radiation, are known to mutate DNA in cells causing the cells to become cancerous or die. One report estimates that a person who smokes 20 cigarettes per day experiences the same level of radiation as 300 chest x-rays a year.

POISONS Poison is defined as any substance that, when introduced to a living organism, causes severe physical distress or death. Science has discovered approximately 200 poisonous gases in cigarette smoke.

AMMONIA : Ammonia compounds are commonly used in cleaning products and fertilizers. Ammonia is also used to boost the impact of nicotine in manufactured cigarettes.

CARBON MONOXIDE : Carbon Monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that makes up 3-5% of tobacco smoke. It sticks to the red blood cells instead of oxygen, lowers the amount of oxygen transferred, and harms our respiratory system. Carbon monoxide decreases muscle and heart function, and causes fatigue, weakness, and dizziness. It is especially toxic for babies still in the womb, infants and individuals with heart or lung disease.

HYDROGEN CYANIDE : Hydrogen Cyanide increases the risk of cancer by damaging cilia. Cilia are tiny hair-like substances that line the airways and helps clear toxins away. If cilia are destroyed, the lungs become more vulnerable and more toxins easily enter the air passage.

NITROGEN OXIDE : Nitrogen Oxide is a major air pollutant and causes inflammation of the lungs. The problem is when the smoker is not smoking, the internal nitrogen oxide production shuts down. This is why regular smokers suffer from heavy breathing.

NICOTINE – Nicotine is a poison used in pesticides and is highly addictive. Smokers find it very hard to quit because they are hooked on the nicotine. Nicotine is an extremely fast-acting drug, reaching the brain within 15 seconds of being inhaled. If cigarettes and other tobacco products had no nicotine, the number of people who smoke every day would drop drastically. Nicotine is also used as a highly controlled insecticide. Exposure to sufficient amounts can lead to vomiting, seizures, depression of the CNS (central nervous system), and growth retardation. It can also undermine a fetus’ proper development.

Smoking is just slow suicide! Rat poison, lighter fluid, battery acid, pesticides and radiation are all rolled into each cancer causing cigarette. I hope this partial list of chemicals found in cigarettes is enough to make you want to quit smoking, starting today, for good!

Meanwhile, here is the Green Secret’s “Quit It Tonic,” a juice packed with the vitamins and nutrients you need to help you quit smoking. (Make sure to wash all ingredients well before juicing). It is a MUST to use organic ingredients only.

• 1 handful sweet potato leaves

• 1 handful parsley

• 2 inches turmeric root

• 2 celery stalks

• ½ cucumber

• 1 apple (peeled if not organic)

Juice all ingredients in your masticating

juicer. Stir and enjoy!

Together, let we can reclaim our right to health and protect younger generations from losing their lives and future with every puff of smoke. In the next few issues, we will learn how we can fight this tobacco epidemic! I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences on “Ask Dr. C at www.greensecret.com.ph” Our deepest gratitude to IAJ WELLNESS CORPORATION for making this information public. For more information or questions, email me at [email protected].

Christine E.V. Gonzalez is a doctor of naturopathic medicine and holds PhDs
in holistic nutrition and natural medicine. LLM (MS Environmental Laws & Labor)
©Wellness Institute International (632) 656-WELL (9355) • (046) 483-0115 (0917) 888-HEAL
• (0920) 958- HEAL (4325)