By James Burns, Guest Column

No one ever said giving up tobacco was easy. While the health hazards of tobacco use are well-documented, people addicted to nicotine often wrestle with weighing the health risks against the pleasurable effects of nicotine addiction.

Because nicotine stimulates the development of extra dopamine receptors, smokers have increased nicotine receptors demanding nicotine so more dopamine can be released. Dopamine is known as a pleasure chemical, and it develops a mood of relaxation and contentment. Smokers may also find tobacco hard to give up because they enjoy the stimulating effects of nicotine, especially during times of stress.

But the fact is nicotine has strong, negative effects on the biology of the human body:

Restriction of blood flow occurs throughout all of the blood and no part of the body escapes the restriction of blood flow.

Degeneration of skin from restricted blood flow and chemicals from cigarette smoke that reflects what&8217;s occurring inside the body, as well.

Heart disease in smokers is a major cause of disability and/or death. It develops earlier and is more severe than in the non-smoking group. One smoked cigarette has been shown by special echocardiography to stiffen the heart and decrease its flexibility.

Washed out skin tone, premature skin aging and greater fissuring than non-smokers.

Immune system impairment that causes more frequent and severe infections that take longer to resolve.

Smokers experience more respiratory infections and get sicker than nonsmokers.

Immune system impairment affects the body&8217;s cancer fighting ability.

Babies born to smoking mothers may experience these effects:

Statistically lower birth weight and length.

Statistically smaller head size that might catch up by age 7.

Extra dry skin that may peel.

Increased incidence of ADHD.

Increased incidence of amblyopia or crossed eye.

Scarred, small and unhealthy placentas compared to normal placentas.

More neonatal infections from immune system impairment.

Tendonitis and bursitis develop easier and last longer. Smoking is a major cause of spine or back pain. Nonsmokers have less back problems and recover much faster.

Joints wear faster because the joint cartilage is unhealthy and is more susceptible to injury and deterioration.

Osteoporosis develops earlier and is more severe as well.

Periodontal disease results in smokers getting dentures much younger than average.

Smokers may experience premature hearing loss.

Erectile dysfunction occurs earlier and is more severe than in a comparable group of nonsmokers. Some smokers develop erectile dysfunction in their 30s.

Tissue of smokers is less healthy and flexible. Blood flow is less and wound healing is delayed. Some surgical specialties won&8217;t operate on someone until they quit smoking.

I have observed that smokers die earlier than nonsmokers. They may die 10 or more years before their life expectancy. These deaths are preventable tragedies.

According to many experts, if tobacco was introduced for the first time now it would not be approved for consumption because of its multiple hazards and afflictions. Remember: Tobacco is the only legal substance when consumed as manufactured results in death and disability.

James Burns is a semi-retired medical doctor with the Albert Lea Medical Center-Mayo Health System.