Dangers of Pipe Smoking

It wasn't until the mid-1950s that real research was done involving pipe smoke. Today, the dangers of pipe smoking are as well-known as any other form of tobacco use. It can cause diseases and affects the quality of life of not only the smoker, but also non-smokers who are exposed to secondhand smoke.

Misconceptions

Like cigar smoking, pipe use was not researched for many years following the connection between lung cancer and smoking. This was partly to do with the fact that most people did not inhale the smoke directly, but mostly because pipe smoking was viewed with a certain level of sophistication. Albert Einstein was quoted as saying pipe smoking, "contributed to a somewhat calm and objective judgment in all human affairs."

Features

Although lung cancer rates are lower in pipe smokers than cigarette smokers, the fact that pipe smoke increases your risk is prevalent. According to a study conducted by the Health Behavior Unit in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at University College in London, pipe smokers have a seven percent chance of developing lung cancer as opposed to the 23 percent found from cigarettes. This proves, however, that pipe smoking is still dangerous.

Effects

There are effects from pipe smoking that effect almost everyone who uses the item. The most common effect is stained teeth. Gum disease is also very common according to the American Dental Association, while an effect called "hairy tongue" can also develop. "Hairy tongue" is caused by the top layers of the tongue's skin not falling off like they should and appears as hair-like scabs.

Effects

Oral cancer is very high in pipe smokers. Because the smoke enters into the mouth, the cancer-causing agents in smoke heavily impact the area. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 8,000 people die of oral cancer in the United States each year, making it the eighth deadliest cancer in the country.

Considerations

The principles of pipe smoking, namely the open burning, make it particularly dangerous to non-smokers. Secondhand smoke from the pipe can spread further than cigarettes. Each year nearly seven percent of lung cancer deaths occur in non-smokers. According to the American Cancer Society, pipe smoking is just as dangerous as any other form of smoking for non-smokers.

Resources

• Cancer Statistics for Smoking
• Effect on Mortality by Switching to Pipe Smoking
• Resources on Pipe Smoking