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A player, however skilled he is, will face a major
problem if his blood does not circulate normally.
The toxins that make a home for themselves in the
blood as a result of smoking can lead to
atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the progressive
hardening of the arteries caused by the deposit of
fatty plaques and the scarring and thickening of
the artery wall. Inflammation of the artery wall
and the development of blood-clots can obstruct
blood flow and cause heart attacks or strokes.
Cigarette smoking has been associated with sudden
cardiac death of all types. Smoking-related
coronary heart disease may contribute to congestive
heart failure.
In the modern era, when cricket has virtually
become synonymous with fitness, the players have to
prove their physical and mental tenacity all the
time. The amount of cricket played today puts a
tremendous amount of pressure on a player's body.
The wear-and-tear requires recovery and sometimes
even surgery. Smokers have a slower recovery rate
after surgery compared to non-smokers because of
the damage that has already been done to the body's
host defences, which delays the healing of wounds
and reduces immunity. Smokers run a greater risk of
developing complications after a surgery, like
wound infections, postoperative pneumonia, and
other respiratory problems. It is thus evident that
a player's career will be jeopardised if he smokes,
courtesy the hidden and chronic complications that
result through this habit.
Smoking is related to chronic coughing and wheezing
among adults. It damages airways and alveoli of the
lung, eventually leading to Chronic Obstructive
pulmonary (Lung) Disease. Smokers are more likely
than non-smokers to have upper and lower
respiratory tract infections, perhaps because
smoking suppresses the immunity function of the
body. Generally, the lungs of smokers decline
faster than those of non-smokers. Laboured
breathing is one of the consequences of lung
disease. This will hamper a player's ability to run
between the wickets, fast bowlers to reach their
peak speed and fielders to chase the ball.
One of the instant effects of smoking prior to the
match is hindrance in the vision. Any smoke
particularly that of a cigarette, irritates the eye
and thus affects vision. A batsman or fielder with
affected vision might well end up missing a searing
Yorker or an important catch respectively. Besides
threatening a cricketer' career, cigarette smoking
and tobacco chewing also increase the
life-threatening onset of different types of
cancer, including those of the lips, oral cavities,
pharynx, oesophagus, pancreas, larynx (voice box),
lungs, urinary bladder, and kidney.
Indian cricketers have a moral responsibility
towards the public, considering the extent to which
they are loved and revered by the masses. These men
are looked upon as role models, and they knowingly
and unknowingly possess the power to make or mar
the character of Indian youth. Hence, the
cricketers should make it their responsibility to
discourage the youth from resorting to smoking or
tobacco chewing as a style statement or stress
reliever.
"Play It Clean" should be every sportsperson's
motto. |