Although the health risks associated with smoking are well known, more than 50 million Americans continue to smoke. The younger you were when you began smoking, the greater your risk of suffering these negative health effects. Quitting smoking is, without a doubt, the single best thing you can do for your health. If you don’t quit now, you face many potential health problems.
Every time you smoke a cigarette, you inhale more than 4,000 chemicals. Interestingly, many people think nicotine is tobacco’s most harmful ingredient. Although nicotine is the addictive substance in tobacco and has many negative health effects, it is not necessarily the one that causes the most harm to your health. Many of the health consequences associated with tobacco use result from the tars, carbon monoxide and carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals) in cigarette smoke.
Below is just a partial list of health complications in which smoking is a key player. Keep in mind that smoking is responsible for more than 440,000 deaths (about one in every five deaths) per year in the United States. It is the leading cause of preventable illness in this country.
Cancer
Respiratory Problems
Heart And Circulatory Problems
Bone Problems
Oral Problems
Eye Problems
Other Problems
Cancer
Lung Cancer
Smoking accounts for more than 80 percent of all cases of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Because smokers inhale toxins from cigarette smoke directly into their lungs, they are at 13 times greater risk of lung cancer than are nonsmokers.
Throat Cancer
Smokers are also at increased risk of throat cancer. The single best way to prevent this disease is to stop smoking.
Oral Cancer
About 90 percent of people diagnosed with oral cancer use tobacco products. And the risk increases with the amount and duration of tobacco use.
Esophageal Cancer
Tobacco users are at increased risk of esophageal cancer. The risk increases with the amount and duration of tobacco use.
Bladder Cancer
Cigarette smoking is the single most significant risk factor for bladder cancer. Smokers are at two to four times greater risk of this disease than are nonsmokers.
Pancreatic Cancer
Cigarette smoking is the single most preventable risk factor for pancreatic cancer.
Cervical Cancer
Tobacco use may contribute to cervical cancer.
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Respiratory Problems
Bronchitis
More than 80 percent of all cases of chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the breathing passages) are caused by cigarette smoking. You dramatically reduce your risk when you quit. Secondhand smoke is also a factor in chronic bronchitis.
Emphysema
Cigarette smoking accounts for more than 90 percent of all cases of emphysema (destruction of the air sacs in the lungs). You can lower your risk of this disease if you stop smoking.
Chronic Laryngitis
Smoking is a preventable cause of chronic laryngitis (inflammation of the vocal cords). Cigarette smoke irritates the throat, triggering this problem.
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Heart And Circulatory Problems
Stroke
The risk of stroke (inadequate blood flow to the brain) is increased in anyone who has ever smoked.
Heart Attack
Smoking can contribute to a sudden blockage in blood flow to your heart muscle, causing a heart attack. Your risk of heart attack is significantly increased if you smoke.
Coronary Artery Disease
Cigarette smoking is risk factor for coronary artery disease (the build up of fatty deposits in the arteries that supply blood to the heart).
Aortic Aneurysm
Your risk of aortic aneurysm (a weakness in the wall of an artery that supplies the heart) is increased if you smoke.
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Smoking increases your risk of peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation). If you already have peripheral vascular disease, smoking makes it worse and can exacerbate your symptoms.
Atherosclerosis
Smoking is a risk factor for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). You can help prevent this disease if you stop smoking.
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Bone Problems
Osteoporosis
Smoking reduces bone density. This puts you at risk of osteoporosis (thin bones).
Hip Fracture
Hip fracture is most often related to osteoporosis, a condition worsened by smoking.
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Oral Problems
Gum Disease
Smoking supersedes any other risk factor for gum disease. And it takes longer for gum disease to heal in smokers.
Tooth Loss
Smokers are twice as likely to lose their teeth than are nonsmokers.
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Eye Problems
Macular Degeneration
Smokers are at greater risk of developing macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss.
Cataracts
The risk of cataracts (clouding of the lens) is 40 percent higher in smokers than in nonsmokers.
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Other Problems
Infertility
Smoking can contribute to fertility problems in both men and women.
Pregnancy Problems
Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of fetal death and is a leading cause of below-average weight at birth.
Heartburn And Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
Smoking can increase the frequency of heartburn and can worsen the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (a digestive disorder in which stomach acid flows up into the esophagus).
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