It's easy to understand why you're more likely to be hurt in a fire if you smoke. But you may be surprised to learn that smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to get hurt in other situations as well. Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to be hurt in car crashes for which they are responsible. They are also more likely to get hurt at their jobs.
explanation
Why might smokers be more likely than nonsmokers to get injured? One possibility is that having to find, light, smoke, and put out a cigarette may distract smokers from the other things that they are doing at the same time. The eye irritation from cigarette smoke may also be a distraction. When people are distracted, they don't react as quickly or as well to dangerous situations, and therefore they are more likely to injure themselves. Another possibility is that smokers, because of their personalities and lifestyles, may be the kind of people who get hurt more often. Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to drink alcoholic beverages and use illegal drugs; using these substances increases a person's chances of getting hurt. Smokers also tend to be risk-takers. People who are willing to take risks tend to get injured more often than cautious people do.
