In the United States, smoking is responsible for almost one in five deaths, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). Furthermore, an approximate 8.6 million people suffer from smoking-related lung and heart diseases. The risk of developing diseases from smoking is the prime reason people give for quitting.
Cancers
The ACS notes that smoking not only increases a smoker's risk of developing lung cancer, but a number of other cancers as well. These include mouth, throat and larynx cancer, as well as cancer of the bladder, kidney, cervix and stomach.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concurs, stating that aside from the many cancers associated with smoking, the risk of developing lung cancer among men and women who smoke is 23 and 13 times higher respectively, versus men and women who have never smoked.
The CDC goes on to state that while the cancer rates vary considerably between ethnic groups, the greatest cancer rate appears to be among African American men.
Respiratory Illness
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of lung diseases such as chronic (ongoing) bronchitis and emphysema. The ACS describes COPD as an on-going and disabling illness that only worsens as time goes on; in some cases it is fatal.
The CDC expands on this disease further, explaining that 90 percent of all COPD deaths are attributed to cigarette smoking. In addition, smoking multiplies your risk of dying from chronic obstructive lung disease by 10.
Cardiovascular Problems
Coronary heart disease is the second leading cause of death in the United States, according to the CDC, and smokers are two to four times more likely to develop it. Smoking also doubles a smoker's risk of suffering from a stroke, and they are twice as likely to die of a heart attack.
The ACS explains that smoking narrows the blood vessels responsible for carrying blood to the arms, legs and brain. Due to the narrowing of these vessels, men are more likely to to develop erectile dysfunction, as the penis is unable to receive the blood flow needed for an erection to take place.
Macular Degeneration
Macular degeneration--one of the most common causes of blindness in older people, according to the ACS--is yet another health risk faced by those who smoke.
Smoking and Pregnancy
Smoking does not simply have adverse health affects on the person choosing to smoke, but also on those around her. No situation proves this point better than an expectant mother who smokes during her pregnancy.
The CDC states that smoking while pregnant presents health complications for both the mother and her unborn child. Aside from complications during her pregnancy--such as miscarriage--the mother may give birth to a low birth-weight baby, go into preterm labor or give birth to a stillborn baby. In some cases, the infant may appear healthy and die of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) just a few weeks later.
