Effects of Smoking

Effects of smoking are numerous. We have listed below a cross section of illnesses and disease caused by smoking, but the main message is that effects of smoking can be found throughout the body.

Effects of Smoking on the Mouth and Throat.

Smoking causes unattractive problems like bad breath and stained teeth. It can also cause gum disease and damage to your sense of taste.

The most serious damage smoking causes in this area is an increased risk of cancer in your lips, tongue, throat, voice bok and oesophagus (gullet).

Effects of Smoking on the Lungs

One of the most well known effects of smoking is that your lungs can be very badly affected by smoking. Coughs, colds, wheezing and asthema are all made worse by smoking.

Smoking effects include fatal diseases such as pneumonia, emphysema, pleurisy and lung cancer. 83% of all deaths from lung cancer, bronchitis and emphysema are related to smoking.

Effects of Smoking on the Heart

The heart risks that smoking causes to your heart are very dangerous. Because your veins and arteries become blocked and narrow, you are at a greatly increased risk of heart attacks, strokes and aneurysms. Aneurysms are blockages which can burst or completely block up. This often leads to amputation or death.

Smokers are more than twice as likely as non-smokers to die from heart disease.

Effects of Smoking on the Circulation

A of the major effects of smoking is that veins and arteries get narrower, harder and coated with fatty deposits. This can lead to problems such as:

• Low fitness, cold skin, hands and feet, and ulcers.
• Gangrene which leads to about 2000 amputations each year in the UK.
• Cramps, pains and blockages in your veins which can cause strokes and heart attacks.

Effects of Smoking on the Skin

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen to the skin. This means that the skin ages more quickly and looks grey and dull. The toxins in your body also produce cellulite.

Effects of Smoking on the Bones

Smoking can cause bones to get weak and brittle. Women need to be especially careful because you are 5 to 10% more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than non-smokers.

Effects of Smoking on the Stomach

The damage to your stomach area can affect your vital organs. You have increased chances of getting stomach cancer or ulcers. You are also at risk of developing cancers in your kidney, pancreas and bladder

Effects of Smoking on the Reproduction and Fertility

The effects of smoking on reproduction and fertility are serious. Smoking can increase the risk of impotence. It can also damage sperm, reduce sperm count and cause testicular cancer.

For women, effects of smoking can make you less fertile and increase your risk of having a miscarriage, a low birth weight baby or cot death. Smoking also increases your risk on cervical cancer.