Smoking

Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body and is a leading cause of preventable death, contributing to numerous cancers, lung diseases, and cardiovascular issues.

What are the health effects of smoking?

Smoking is bad for your health and is the cause of nearly one in five deaths in the United States. Some of the many health problems caused by smoking include:

• Cancers: Smoking is the most common cause of lung and oral cancers. It can also cause cancer in the larynx (voice box), esophagus, throat, bladder, kidney, liver, stomach, pancreas, colon, rectum, cervix, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).
• Lung diseases: Smoking is the most common cause of COPD. It can also worsen asthma and raise your risk of pneumonia.
• Cardiovascular diseases: Smoking can damage your blood vessels, causing them to thicken and narrow. This makes your heart beat faster, raises your blood pressure, and increases your risk of blood clots and stroke.
• Vision problems: Smoking can raise your risk of cataracts and cause macular degeneration (AMD).

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of pregnancy complications and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Additionally, smoking causes addiction to nicotine, a stimulant drug that makes it harder to quit.

What are the health risks of secondhand smoke?

Secondhand smoke is harmful to others, potentially causing heart disease and lung cancer in non-smokers. Children exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of ear infections, colds, pneumonia, bronchitis, and severe asthma. Pregnant individuals exposed to secondhand smoke are more likely to experience preterm labor and have a baby with low birth weight.

Are other forms of tobacco also dangerous?

There is no safe level of tobacco use. Other forms of tobacco include:

• Cigars and hookahs: These contain harmful chemicals and nicotine. Some cigars contain as much tobacco as an entire pack of cigarettes.
• E-cigarettes: These battery-operated devices contain nicotine, which is highly addictive and dangerous to children, teens, and fetuses. They also expose non-smokers to secondhand aerosols containing harmful chemicals.
• Smokeless tobacco: Chewing tobacco and snuff can cause oral cancer, heart disease, gum disease, and oral lesions.

Why should I quit?

Quitting smoking can reduce your risk of health problems and add years to your life. The earlier you quit, the greater the benefit. Immediate benefits of quitting include:

• Lower heart rate and blood pressure
• Less carbon monoxide in the blood
• Better circulation
• Less coughing and wheezing

Quitting can be challenging, but it is vital for your health. Contact your health care provider if you need help quitting.