PATHOLOGIES OF THE LUNGS
Cigarette History
Early smoking in North America:
Rolled tobacco, notably cigars, were popular in the early to mid-1800s, symbolizing wealth and sophistication. Cigarettes rose in the 1850s but boomed in popularity with James Bonsack's cigarette machine in 1881. Advertisements glamorized smoking in the mid-20th century, associating it with allure and sophistication. By 1957, smoking's link to lung cancer was clear, prompting a landmark statement from the US Public Health Service.
Smoking Today
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Adult per capita consumption of cigarettes has declined by about 70% since 1963, marking a significant shift in smoking habits following the Surgeon General's report--which linked smoking to cancer.
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According to a study published in 2011, less than 20% of adults were current smokers in the United States, although there were significant variations from state to state.
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In other parts of the world, such as China, for example, about 55% of men smoke, making it the world's largest consumer of tobacco.
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Smoking rates are increasing in some developing countries, presenting ongoing challenges for public health initiatives aimed at tobacco control.
Not just Mainstream
Carcinogens such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, N-nitrosamines, and aromatic amines, among others, wreak havoc on lung tissue, leading to the development of cancerous cells and other diseases.
But these harmful effects are not limited to the smoker.
Secondhand smoke not only affects anyone who come into contact with the smoke. While mainstream smoke refers to the smoke exhaled by the smoker, sidestream smoke emanates from the lit tobacco itself. Sidestream smoke, also known as environmental smoke, may be more harmful than mainstream smoke as it contains higher concentrations of carcinogens and is less filtered.
Panel A shows the tracheal epithelium of a control mouse (left) and a mouse exposed to tobacco smoke for 7days (right; magnification 400×). Arrows indicate hyperplasia of the epithelium. Panel B shows terminal bronchiole. Arrows indicate prominent Clara cells. Panel C shows the alveoli. Arrows indicate macrophages. Photo Credit: Research Gate
Left Side: Healthy Lungs. Right Side: Lungs affected by secondhand smoking. Photo Credit: Visual MD