Introduction
In today’s society, smoking is a common habit among various population groups, including women, adolescents, and even children. According to statistics, there are about 1 billion people in the world who regularly use tobacco (Cohn et al. 439). Accordingly, nicotine addiction is a significant risk to human health. First, approximately 25% of smokers die of cancer, cardiovascular disease, or stroke (Cohn et al. 439). Secondly, smoking can cause diseases such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, gastritis, gastroenteritis, myocardial dystrophy, lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, pulmonary emphysema, and coronary heart disease.
Furthermore, people who live with someone who smokes become passive smokers and expose their health to no less threat than the smoker. Aromatized smokes are like any other cigarettes, but they contain special chemical additives that will only aggravate human health, although attracted by their taste (Cohn et al. 439). Some Western countries have banned the sale of such products altogether because of the adverse effects on public health: flavor additives also enhance dependence.
Cessation of smoking has an immediate positive effect on a person’s health. The tendency to suffer from severe smoking-related illnesses, various infections, and coughing fits begins to decrease quite soon. There is also a widespread belief that after quitting smoking, a person becomes overweight and that menthol cigarettes have less negative influence on people’s health (Cohn et al. 440). Thus, it is essential to consider the claims about the harmfulness of menthol cigarettes, the use of smoking as a way to lose weight, the concept of Yin and Yang, and to determine whether smoking or obesity is more harmful.
The Harmfulness of Menthol Cigarettes
Cigarettes with menthol work on the principle that a capsule is placed inside the filter, which explodes when pressed, changing the flavor, or the filter itself is impregnated with menthol oil, which provides the flavor. In addition, menthol was first added to cigarette filters in the 1920s, and manufacturers argued that such cigarettes were safer for smokers’ health and advertised their products around pictures of nature, cool springtime, and water (Le and Mendez 565). This was supposed to provide customers with a sense of freshness from smoking.
Flavored cigarettes range in flavor from herbal and fruity to chocolate and caramel, but menthol is the most famous. Some think it eliminates unpleasant breath, but this is not entirely true (Le and Mendez 566). In fact, after a few years of smoking even menthol cigarettes, the smell and oral microflora will change (Le and Mendez 566).
The debate over the harm of menthol cigarettes began about a decade ago. When the dangers of menthol cigarettes were being discussed in the community, a ban on the production of cigarettes with this flavoring was adopted in the United States. This was because menthol was equated with products that have a detrimental effect on the human body, causing the development of diseases (Le and Mendez 564). Recently, menthol cigarettes have become popular, and it is considered that they are more commonly addictive.
Although menthol is a relatively harmless compound processed in the liver and excreted from the body, its cold sensation in the throat is undoubtedly harmful. Studies have revealed that people consume much more because of this cooling effect. This also means that they ingest more tobacco, tar, nicotine, carbon monoxide, and other toxic and cancer-causing chemicals found in all tobacco products (Le and Mendez 565).
Some cigarettes do not contain menthol, but the paper filter at the tip is saturated with chemicals that allow people to smoke tobacco with a specific taste. Often, the flavoring factor accompanies faster addiction and, therefore, smoking more cigarettes than if one smoked cigarettes without additives (Le and Mendez 564). Therefore, although some of the effects of smoking menthol cigarettes may be soothing, the long-term effects are almost identical to traditional cigarettes and, in some cases may be worse.
In reality, cigarettes in different flavors do not differ from regular cigarettes in their impact on the body and still contribute to cancer and heart and vascular diseases. However, numerous surveys in various countries show that young people are often convinced that menthol cigarettes are less dangerous (Yerger 493). This is explained by the fact that the menthol aroma masks the smell of smoke when inhaled. Furthermore, menthol has a cooling effect and can reduce the cough and throat discomfort that many smokers experience.
It is worth noting that menthol cigarettes have become the most popular among Black people through advertising and free distribution. White smokers consume 30% of menthol cigarettes, and black smokers have 60% (Cohn et al. 441). Black smokers suffer significantly more often from lung and heart disease associated with menthol-flavored cigarette smoking. Moreover, smokers inhale menthol-flavored cigarette smoke more deeply, retain it in their lungs longer, and expose themselves to even greater danger.
Additionally, the situation when people taste cigarettes for the first time and choose flavored cigarettes has negative consequences. In that case, they are much more likely to develop a habit and become addicted to nicotine than those who try unflavored cigarettes (Cohn et al. 441). The reason for this is that the cooling and anesthetic effect of menthol masks the short-term harmful physiological effects of smoking, such as sore throat, burning sensation, and cough. This provides superficial relief and the psychological reassurance that such cigarettes are less harmful to health.
Consequently, even though most buyers are convinced that menthol cigarettes are less dangerous to health because of the fresh smell, there is evidence to the contrary. On average, smokers of menthol cigarettes smoke more than others and are less willing to stop smoking (Yerger 493). The reason is that for many people, quitting menthol cigarettes is more complicated than regular cigarettes, the primary factor being the more pleasant taste. An American research company surveyed people who wanted to quit smoking.
Among menthol cigarette consumers, 69% of respondents were unable to stop this habit, while among smokers of cigarettes without additives, it was 54% (Yerger 495). In addition, black individuals choose menthol cigarettes because of their higher body temperature. The average body temperature of a white person is 97.8 degrees Fahrenheit, while a black person’s is 98.0 degrees (Yerger 494). This difference in body temperature attracts more cooling substances to compensate for or reduce the high temperature. Thus, the black population suffers more from the damaging impact of smoking menthol cigarettes.
Menthol cigarettes contain the same harmful chemicals as regular cigarettes, including nicotine, heavy metals, tar, and other hazardous substances. However, the presence of menthol may increase the risk of specific health problems. More smokers can raise the amount of harmful chemicals absorbed into the body (Cohn et al. 442). This causes damage to the lungs, and smoking menthol cigarettes can increase the risk of developing lung complications such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Furthermore, smoking menthol cigarettes may improve the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and stroke.
It can also lead to poor dental and periodontal health, including cavities, plaque, bleeding gums, and other issues. There is an associated more significant chance of developing a nicotine addiction. The menthol in cigarettes can reduce the sensation of hot smoke in the mouth and throat, which can lead to more smoke inhalation and a higher risk of developing nicotine addiction (Cohn et al. 442). In general, menthol cigarettes contain the same harmful substances as regular cigarettes. They can lead to the danger of developing various illnesses, but their greater harmfulness is due to the inability to assess their effect through the fresh smell.
The Use of Smoking in Obesity
Worldwide, tobacco smoking is one of the most severe factors of morbidity and premature fatality. The situation with the spread of tobacco smoking in many countries has become a global epidemic; currently, about 1.26 billion smokers worldwide (Carreras-Torres et al. 3). Now, there is a large-scale campaign to combat tobacco use. Nevertheless, smoking cessation and withdrawal symptoms are usually accompanied by weight gain. For many smokers, especially women, the fear of weight gain is the primary motivation for continuing to smoke.
Relative Benefits of Smoking
After quitting tobacco use, body weight increases by an average of 4.5 kilograms, and about 10% of those who stopped using nicotine gained 13.5 kilograms (Carreras-Torres et al. 3). Moreover, tobacco use can be associated with weight loss, which is a different reason to start or continue smoking. Adolescents who are concerned about being overweight are significantly more likely to start smoking than their counterparts who do not have such psychological problems.
Genetic Factor
The correlation between weight and smoking has been explored for a long time. Smokers are usually slim individuals, but there are overweight people among them. In slim people, the gene AZGP1, which is activated in the respiratory system, is responsible for the functioning of the respiratory tract and the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates (Carreras-Torres et al. 5).
When a person starts smoking cigarettes, this gene regulates the respiratory system, and increased metabolism is a side effect. The influence of tobacco products on a person’s figure can be explained not only by genes. Smoking causes psychological and physiological changes in the body that can lead to weight loss or gain.
At first, when people smoke cigarettes, they produce a significant amount of saliva. Therefore, food does not enter the body, and hydrochloric acid is produced, which causes small ulcers in the intestines. Eventually, the contractile function of the gastrointestinal tract decreases: appetite disappears, the intestines do not work correctly, and gastritis develops (Carreras-Torres et al. 6). Consequently, people who smoke force their bodies to constantly fight against tobacco, which takes not only calories from food but also their energy reserves. (Carreras-Torres et al. 7). For this reason, individuals consume cigarettes to reduce their weight.
Psychologic Factor
Second, many people start smoking to cope with their feelings. One cigarette can equal a standard lunch or breakfast, and the body begins receiving significantly fewer nutrients. When nicotine enters the human bloodstream, glycogen production is disrupted (Carreras-Torres et al. 7). The brain uses it as an additional emergency power source. When smoking, the body takes it for granted and activates the process. As a result, the feeling of hunger disappears, leading to decreased appetite and weight loss.
Dangers of Smoking
However, there is also an adverse influence of smoking on the human organism, as cigarette smoke affects the performance of the endocrine function. Consequently, hormonal disorders weaken the metabolism; obesity, in particular, develops. Fat collects around the waist, while the volume of the hips remains unchanged, making it challenging to lose excess weight with smoking (Courtemanche et al. 38). In addition, nicotine affects the functioning of blood cells, contributing to oxygen deficiency, poor circulation, and lymphatic drainage. The skin of the face and body becomes darker, and even people who have always been slim tend to gain weight.
Carbon monoxide and the nicotine smell prevent oxygen from reaching the tissues, causing the skin to become flabby and sulfurous and cellulite to appear on the haunches and buttocks (Courtemanche et al. 38). Naturally, the metabolism is accelerated by nicotine, which stimulates the production of adrenaline, which helps burn fat. Many people assume that cigarettes are calming, but this is a misconception. Cigarettes agitate the nervous system, and when a person quits smoking, their metabolism declines, and they regain weight.
It is essential to recognize that weight loss from cigarette smoking has the exact mechanisms of the development of serious diseases, such as cancer, tuberculosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. In addition, smoking as a method of weight loss leads to a wide range of diseases (Courtemanche et al. 39). Tobacco smoke reduces the fertility of women and men. Smoking by the expectant mother increases the risk of premature birth, abortion, low birth weight, stillbirth, developmental defects, and sudden infant death syndrome.
Smokers also have a significantly higher chance of cataracts and retinal degeneration. They have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in old age than non-smokers or quitters (Courtemanche et al. 39). Tobacco addiction impairs the oral microflora, contributes to tooth damage and even loss, and inhibits salivary amylase, an enzyme essential for digesting complex carbohydrates.
Some decrease in immunity and increased chances of having rheumatoid arthritis are associated with smoking. Moreover, smoking raises the likelihood of developing lung cancer by 25 times (Courtemanche et al. 39). Hence, the way to lose weight by smoking is effective. Still, it causes a large number of diseases. Moreover, after stopping smoking, the weight returns, and the diseases and the need for their treatment remain.
Concept of Yin and Yang
In Chinese medicine, the pair of opposites, Yin and Yang, are decisive for healthy people’s correct way of life and for examination and diagnosis in case any ailment is observed. The term Yang is related to the human body’s physiological functions, strength, muscle work, respiration, and body temperature. The concept of Yin refers to human anatomy and the material components of the body, such as blood, body tissues, and fluids (Wang 5). The imbalance between these two components can lead to deterioration in the general physical condition of a person and occasionally to diseases.
Meanwhile, there are four primary types of eastern medicinal herbs. They are termed Chinese herbs or Si Qi; they have the properties of natural herbs and are cold, hot, warm, and relaxed. In general, according to the classification, medicinal herbs belonging to the cold category are named Yin (Wang 5). In Chinese medicine, herbs with a cold-cool nature can purify heat fire and destroy toxic substances, and they are mainly used for heat syndromes.
In addition, herbs with a warm-hot nature are classified as yangs. Their action is aimed at fighting cold and establishing a balance with Yang. Hence, they are mainly used to treat various cold symptoms. Thus, the concept of Oriental medicine can be applied to smoking. According to its basic concepts, smoking is Yang, and menthol, which promotes cooling, is Yin (Wang 7). It is explained by the fact that the function of menthol is to reduce heat, and in the case of cigarettes, its impact is to balance the sensations of smoking.
According to the Eastern medicine traditions of China and neighboring countries, modern humanity is experiencing a massive imbalance of Yin-Yang, or the energies of the feminine and masculine, respectively. The accumulation of toxins is associated with a significant excess of Yin energies, and the apotheosis of this excess of Yin is cancer (Wang 6). If a slim or obese person is transferred to a proper Yang diet and allowed to drink Yang herbal preparations, that is, to replenish the enormous lack of this energy in the body, then regardless of what kind of person they are, they will recover and become healthy.
An overweight person will lose weight without any fat burners and will not gain weight again because they will not starve or diet their whole life, let alone use fat burners or smoke (Wang 7). With these methods, the weight comes back, but only in even more significant amounts, in contrast to smoking. Therefore, this concept can be used as a way to lose weight instead of smoking and not be afraid of adverse effects on the body.
Thus, the application of the principles of oriental pharmacology is a method to quickly quit smoking menthol cigarettes by replacing them with herbs. This method is highly beneficial to the body, as it allows people to imitate the sensation of smoking menthol cigarettes and quit smoking without harming their health. In addition, the effect of these herbs on the body has a beneficial influence and permits the body to quickly remove harmful substances and fill the organism with beneficial properties (Wang 7). As a result, smokers will not gain weight after quitting but instead will be able to improve the quality of their body appearance. Therefore, using oriental herbs, Yin and Yang, is a way to quit smoking menthol cigarettes and maintain weight.
Obesity Is More Dangerous Than Smoking
It is crucial to mention that in the context of life expectancy, being overweight is just as dangerous as smoking. In 2018, the number of obese individuals in the United Kingdom was twice as high as those who smoke (Blüher 288). Meanwhile, being overweight and obese is the leading cause of 13 types of cancer, including colon, kidney, liver, and ovarian cancer, causing more cases of the disease each year than smoking (Blüher 288).
Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of cancer, but in recent years, the number of smokers has steadily declined while the number of obese individuals has steadily increased. Excess fatty tissue sends signals to the cells of the body, causing them to divide more often, and this process over time can lead to the appearance of malignant tumors, experts explain. Therefore, the debate arose about whether obesity is worse than smoking.
Obesity is a chronic disease marked by extreme fat accumulation in the subcutaneous layer and internal organs. The diagnosis poses a significant threat to the patient and holds with it several negative processes in the body, from slight hormonal imbalances to cancer. Medicine considers obesity as a severe disease.
Moreover, since 1997, the WHO has declared that there is a global epidemic of obesity (Blüher 289). In advanced economies, more than half of adults do not boast an ideal weight, and one-third of the population is obese. Medics refer to obesity as a syndrome characterized by excessive fat accumulation and weight gain. There are various reasons, including an imbalance in calorie intake and physical activity.
First of all, obesity is the basis for the development of many diseases. These are diabetes, atherosclerosis, and disorders of lipid metabolism. The complex changes that occur in the body of a person suffering from excess weight led to the development of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. With type 2 diabetes, blood sugar levels are higher than usual (Blüher 289).
Eventually, this can lead to other health problems, such as heart disease, nerve damage, stroke, kidney disease, and vision problems. They can also lead to gynecological problems because the female reproductive system is susceptible to the hormones produced by fatty tissue (Blüher 289). Against the background of obesity, especially abdominal obesity, when the leading stores are concentrated in the abdomen, there is often such a disorder of carbohydrate metabolism as insulin resistance.
Obese individuals are more likely to have heart disease. Over time, fat deposits can accumulate in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Overweight people have higher blood pressure and low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides, and blood sugar (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 407). Therefore, all of these contribute to heart disease, and the narrowing of the arteries can also lead to a heart attack. Stroke and heart disease transfer many chance factors. A stroke causes permanent impairment of brain tissue, which can translate into a variety of symptoms, including speech disturbances, muscle weakness, and changes in reasoning and judgment.
Obesity can also lead to sleep apnea, a condition in which breathing is constantly interrupted during sleep. Overweight and obese people are at an enhanced risk of sleep apnea because they accumulate more fat around their necks, which leads to the narrowing of the airway. This can lead to snores and trouble breathing at bedtime. Losing weight can help to decrease the amount of fat around the neck and decrease the risk of sleep apnea (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 407).
In addition, obese people can develop a liver disease known as fatty liver disorder or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which is a condition that occurs when excess fat collects in the liver. Excess fat can destroy the liver or cause scar tissue formation, commonly known as cirrhosis (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 407). Fatty liver disease is usually asymptomatic, but over time, it can lead to liver failure.
Simultaneously, additional weight on the chest and abdomen can complicate the expansion of the lungs. The lungs are located in the chest cavity, and they need to be able to expand and contract to breathe (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 409). Extra weight on the chest and abdomen can make it difficult for the lungs to expand fully, leading to shortness of breath. Excess weight can pressure the diaphragm, the muscle that helps people breathe (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 409). Additional weight on the diaphragm can prevent the muscles from fully contracting, leading to respiratory distress.
In addition, excess fatty protein in the body needs more oxygen and nourishment. The blood vessels of obese individuals have to circulate more blood to the excess fatty matter. This means that the heart has to work even harder to circulate blood through the rest of the body. The additional amount of oxygenated blood circulating puts extra weight on the walls of the vessels (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 409). This high pressure is referred to as essential hypertension, and eventually, excessive pressure can cause reversible damage to the heart and blood vessels.
A comparison of smoking and obesity can demonstrate the more significant negative impact one has. Body Mass Index is an indicator commonly used by doctors to detect overweight and also to diagnose obesity, and it is calculated based on each person’s height and weight. Van den Berk-Clark et al. (410) analyzed medical data from 4,000 men and women to develop a computer model capable of estimating the effect of body mass index (BMI) on life expectancy. They found that overweight people averaged three years less life expectancy than people with a normal BMI.
For obese persons, the problem was even more significant: their life expectancy was, on average, six years shorter. People with more severe obesity shortened their lives by eight years, and it was related to their overweight (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 407). In addition to reducing life expectancy, overweight also causes an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. There is also evidence that smoking can shorten a person’s life by an average of ten years. Furthermore, continuous smoking increases the risk of such diseases as arthritis, immune system disorders, diabetes, lung and cardiovascular diseases, as well as some malignant tumors.
Obesity and smoking are significant factors in the development of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, diabetes, and lung cancer. Accordingly, their health impact is significant, increasing the likelihood of premature death. The death rate from smoking is 0.00198, and the death rate from obesity is 0.0163 (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 410). This means that smoking is more dangerous for people’s lives. However, obesity is more complicated than smoking because it is more widespread.
In the United States, about 42% of adults are obese, while only about 12.5% of adults smoke (Van den Berk-Clark et al. 410). This means that more people are at risk of dying from obesity-related causes than from smoking-related causes. In addition, people can quit smoking, which will immediately positively affect their health. However, the fight against obesity requires a lot of effort, especially when there are comorbidities. Thus, obesity is more dangerous than smoking and poses a greater risk to people’s lives and health.
Conclusion
Hence, smoking in any form or substance will cause hormonal chaos in the body and lead to several life-threatening diseases. Therefore, many smokers mistakenly believe that smoking menthol cigarettes is safer than regular ones. If absorbers and filters provided complete protection against harmful substances, they would absorb nicotine itself, and the effect of smoking would not be felt. Menthol cigarettes, due to their refreshing effect, stimulate an increase in the frequency of smoking and thus hurt the human body. Meanwhile, smoking accelerates metabolism, reduces appetite, and disrupts mineral and protein metabolism.
As a result, many individuals use smoking to control their weight within a normal range. However, when a person quits smoking, taste buds are activated, metabolism decreases, appetite improves, and weight is quickly gained. In general, this approach to maintaining the desired weight is significantly harmful to health, as smoking harms the heart and circulation and increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke. Smoking also causes peripheral vascular disease and damages the arteries that supply the brain with blood.
Eastern pharmacology, namely the concept of Yin and Yang, can be used to fight the habit of smoking menthol cigarettes. Accordingly, it will balance the sensations that occur during smoking with the help of herbs. Additionally, smoking is often used to fight obesity due to the assumption that the effects of obesity are worse for people.
Since more individuals are obese than smoke, this leads to the fact that the mortality rate from obesity is higher than from smoking. It is worth noting that smoking is a dangerous way to fight obesity because of the harm to the body. However, the adverse health consequences associated with being overweight are more harmful to the body’s major systems than the smoking habit.
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