Thousands of deaths in the United States of America alone are associated with smoking. Smoking shortens the life of an average smoker by 12 years. According to the WHO, it is estimated that smoking will cause 10 million deaths per year worldwide by 2010. Smoking has many dangerous effects on both smokers and those around them. This harms the environment and contributes to global warming. As a dentist, it is my responsibility to discuss the harmful effects of tobacco and persuade everyone to quit smoking or never start smoking. Let's start with the effects of tobacco on the smoker's body. Smoking causes a lack of oxygen to the brain, which leads to strokes. Chemicals such as nicotine in cigarettes raise blood pressure, and carbon monoxide causes cholesterol deposits on the arterial wall. All of this adds up to an increased risk of heart attack. Increased blood pressure has detrimental effects on the kidneys. Hydrogen cyanide and other chemicals attack the lungs, causing a smoker's chronic cough. Smokers are 10 times more prone to lung cancer. Smoking causes bad breath...