Pipe Smoking
Pipe smoking is considered by many to be a hobby rather than a habit. It is the oldest traditional form of smoking. Some smokers believe it makes them look genteel or dignified.
People who smoke pipes believe that because they don't inhale the smoke into their lungs they are protected from cancer. While it is true that they may not get lung cancer they are actually more susceptible to mouth, tongue, larynx and oesophageal cancer. This is also true of people who smoke cigars. The reason for this is the pipe or cigar is held in the mouth for long periods.
Over the years the area of the lip that is constantly exposed to the smoke from tobacco (which contains carcinogeous tar) will eventually succumb to cancer.
If you have ever seen a picture of someone with a hole in their throat it is possible theywere the victim of oesophageal cancer and survived! They were very lucky.
Find a Healthier Way to Relax
Pipe smokers believe that they are actually healthier than non-pipe smokers because their habit is relaxing and they believe it to be a relief from stress. There are other ways to find relief from stress without sucking on a pipe full of cancer causing tobacco! People who drink camomile tea and have regular massages would most likely be free from stress but without risking oral cancer.
Pipe smoking is considered a hobby by many and they justify this by collecting different pipes and sampling different tobacco flavours. There are even clubs or organisations dedicated to followers of the habit. These people are kidding themselves - they are in denial. The risk of oral cancer is huge. One person in the US dies from oral cancer every hour!
Pipes Still Contain Nicotine
People who smoke pipes are still addicted to nicotine - the nicotine is absorbed through the delicate lining of the mouth and into the blood stream. Nicotine while not being a carcinogen is still a danger to the body because it is a vasoconstrictor. This means that it causes high blood pressure and other health issues in the long term.
Cigarette smokers who have quit cigarettes and switched to pipes are more at risk from lung cancer because they are used to inhaling smoke into their lungs and they continue to do with when smoking their pipe.
If you are going to quit smoking then quit. Remove all addiction to nicotine from your life and find a nice hobby which isn't going to kill you or make you ill.
High Blood Pressure
Pulmonary Hypertension
Cigar Smoking
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