Final answer:
Heavy smokers are more likely to experience sleep problems compared to non-smokers due to nicotine's stimulant effect and respiratory system damage. Smoking increases the risk of various cancers, chronic diseases, and accidents, while secondhand smoke exposure also seriously affects non-smokers' health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Compared to non-smokers, heavy smokers are more likely to experience sleep problems. Smoking affects the body in various ways that can interfere with both the quality and duration of sleep. Nicotine, the addictive substance in tobacco, is a stimulant and can cause problems with falling asleep. Additionally, smoking damages the respiratory system, which can lead to sleep disturbances such as sleep apnea. On the other hand, quitting smoking can improve sleep quality over time despite the initial withdrawal challenges that may temporarily affect sleep patterns.
The health impacts of smoking are severe and wide-ranging. For instance, smokers have a higher chance of developing various types of cancer such as lung cancer, kidney cancer, and cancers of the reproductive system. Moreover, smoking increases the risk of chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory infections, and can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications due to increased liver enzyme levels. Smoking is also a major cause of fires and motor vehicle crash fatalities.
It's important to remember that secondhand smoke also poses significant health risks. Non-smokers who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke have higher risks for lung cancer, heart disease, respiratory infections, and other ailments, including in children who are particularly vulnerable to its effects.