Final answer:
All individuals should be discouraged from smoking, particularly those with heart and lung conditions and those living with nonsmokers. Tobacco smoke disrupts the lungs' immune defenses and releases toxic and carcinogenic compounds impacting both the smoker and those exposed to second-hand smoke.
Step-by-step explanation:
All patients, especially those with lung and heart conditions, should be discouraged from smoking. Additionally, individuals living with nonsmokers, notably children, should abstain from smoking due to the detrimental effects of second-hand smoke. In particular, children exposed to second-hand smoke are more prone to lower respiratory infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and ear infections. Furthermore, smoker's risk of developing lung cancer is significantly increased, and it also poses threats like emphysema and complications during pregnancy.
Components of tobacco smoke can inhibit the functions of the lungs' defense mechanism, leading to a greater susceptibility to infections like pneumonia. A burning cigarette releases hundreds of toxic and carcinogenic compounds that are dangerous for both the smoker and those inhaling the smoke second-hand. These compounds can cause a variety of health problems, including immune system dysfunction, liver toxicity, cardiac arrhythmias, pulmonary edema, and neurological dysfunction.
Learn more about Dangers of Smoking