The tobacco industry tries hard to convince you to smoke. In a 2009 economic study, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission found that tobacco manufacturers spent $12.49 billion in 2006 just on advertising. What the industry doesn't advertise are the numerous health hazards and effects that smoking has on both the smoker and those in the vicinity.
Cardiovascular Risks
The American Heart Association reports that smoking lowers good cholesterol, may increase blood pressure and total cholesterol levels, and encourages blockage of the arteries. All these factors greatly increase the risk of coronary heart disease and poor cardiovascular health.
Secondhand Smoke
Simply being in the same room as someone with a lit tobacco product can be dangerous, even if you don't directly smoke. Involuntary inhalation of secondhand smoke causes 46,000 heart disease deaths and 3,400 lung disease deaths every year among nonsmoking Americans, according to the American Lung Association.
Children and Smoke Inhalation
Adults who smoke near children put the children in significant danger. The National Cancer Institute says children exposed to secondhand smoke are more susceptible to various respiratory illnesses like asthma, pneumonia and colds, and have higher rates of ear infections. Babies who breath secondhand smoke have a greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
Lung Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, lung cancer is the most lethal form of cancer in the United States. Of all lung cancer deaths, a great majority--80 percent of female victims and 90 percent of male victims--contracted lung cancer due to smoking.
Types of Smoking
All forms of smoking tobacco present higher health risks than simply not smoking. Cigarettes are the most dangerous form of tobacco smoking. Pipes and cigars present slightly less risk that cigarettes, according to the American Heart Association.
Pregnancy Dangers
The American Lung Association reports a wide array of health hazards when pregnant women smoke. Approximately 30 percent of underweight babies are caused by a mother smoking. Alarmingly, smoking by the mother causes 10 percent of infant mortality cases. Premature births are also affected, with 14 percent of preterm deliveries attributed to smoking tobacco.
Dangerous Chemicals
When you take a puff of your tobacco product, you inhale approximately 50 known carcinogens among over 4,000 chemicals found in most tobacco products, according to the National Cancer Institute. This includes toxic chemicals like cadmium, traditionally used in batteries, and benzene, found in gasoline.
Deaths
The American Heart Association states that smoking kills 440,000 people a year and calls it the most preventable type of premature death in America.
General Cancer Risks
Smoking doesn't just cause lung cancer. It also elevates the risks of contracting numerous forms of other cancers, including bladder cancer, pancreas cancer and cancer of the cervix for women, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Population Statistics
The American Lung Association estimates that, in 2008, approximately 45 million people smoked. This accounts to almost a quarter of all American adults ages 18 and over.
