Understanding the risks and impact on health

Cigarette smoking is a perilous habit that profoundly affects the body, leading to various diseases and significantly diminishing overall health. Quitting smoking can substantially reduce the risk of smoking-related illnesses and extend one’s lifespan.

Smoking and Death

Cigarette smoking stands as the primary cause of preventable death in the United States, accounting for over 480,000 deaths annually, which is nearly one in five deaths. This surpasses the combined fatalities caused by HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, and firearm-related incidents. Notably, more U.S. citizens have died prematurely from smoking than in all U.S. wars combined. Smoking is responsible for about 90% of lung cancer deaths and approximately 80% of deaths from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Smoking and Increased Health Risks

Smokers face a significantly higher risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer compared to nonsmokers. Smoking increases the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke by 2 to 4 times and elevates the likelihood of developing lung cancer by 25 times in men and women. It also results in overall poor health, increased absenteeism from work, and higher healthcare costs.

Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease

Smoking is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, leading to conditions such as stroke and coronary heart disease. Even individuals who smoke fewer than five cigarettes daily exhibit early signs of cardiovascular disease. Smoking damages blood vessels, causing them to narrow and thicken, which increases blood pressure and the risk of clot formation, consequently impeding blood flow to vital organs.

Smoking and Respiratory Diseases

Smoking damages the airways and air sacs in the lungs, leading to respiratory diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Smokers are also at a heightened risk of developing lung cancer, and tobacco smoke can exacerbate asthma symptoms.

Smoking and Cancer

Cigarette smoking is linked to cancer in various parts of the body, including the mouth, throat, oesophagus, lungs, bladder, liver, kidneys, pancreas, stomach, and cervix. If smoking were eradicated, one in every three cancer deaths in the United States would be prevented.

Smoking and Other Health Risks

Smoking adversely affects fertility, pregnancy, and bone health. It increases the risk of preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Moreover, smoking contributes to dental problems, vision impairments such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, and the development of type 2 diabetes. It also weakens the immune system, causing inflammation and increasing the risk of rheumatoid arthritis.