The respiratory airway cells of a healthy individual produce mucus and are covered with vibrating cilia similar to hair. Mucus and eyelashes work together to prevent the entry of dangerous substances into the lungs, such as: irritants, toxins, carcinogens, bacteria, viruses, etc.
To be more precise, the mucus traps the debris contained in the inhaled air, while the cilia, thanks to their vibration, take care of pushing the mucus in the direction of the pharynx, where it will then be swallowed.
What causes cigarette smoke in the muco-eyelid system of the respiratory airways?
The carcinogens and the poisonous substances contained in cigarette smoke damage the eyelashes, first affecting their normal activity and then causing their death.
The absence of eyelashes means that the mucus - which still continues to collect debris inhaled through breathing - remains in the respiratory airways close to the lungs.
The permanence of mucus full of harmful debris in these delicate places is one of the reasons why those who smoke are predisposed to respiratory diseases of any kind, from neoplastic to infectious diseases.
However, the human organism is not completely defenseless to such a situation and responds with a cough, which serves precisely to move the mucus and expel it. This explains why smokers feel the need to cough often.
