Little by little, tobacco use harms the human body until, in many cases, death occurs. The U.S. Surgeon General holds smoking accountable for one in five American deaths, and the majority of these victims were long-term smokers. In fact, half of all long-term smokers died prematurely, losing an average of 13.8 years off their lives. The damage from pipe, cigar and cigarette smoking adds up over the years, until most smokers contract one or more serious health problems.
Cardiovascular Effects
Following the short-term development of atherosclerosis, tobacco users may develop peripheral artery disease, angina, and blood clots and eventually have a heart attack. The American Heart Association notes that these events, sometimes described as coronary heart disease, are preventable by quitting cigarette smoking.
This group of cardiovascular health problems represents the number-one cause of death in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC. By interfering with oxygenated blood flow to the brain, cigarette smoking raises individual risk for stroke, as well as coronary heart disease, by as much as four times the norm.
Pulmonary Effects
Ingesting tobacco smoke over the long term repeatedly injures the tissue of the mouth, throat, bronchi and lungs. The CDC defuses the myth that "light" cigarettes, cigars or pipes lessen this harm. As tobacco users gradually develop chronic bronchitis, their airways become obstructed with degraded tissue and mucus.
The hallmark "smoker's cough" is the body's attempt to remove this material and restore free breathing. MayoClinic.com notes that this symptom usually gets worse with prolonged cigarette smoking, until emphysema develops. Emphysema severely restricts the ability to breathe and can cause death.
Carcinogenic Effects
Nicotine and other substances in tobacco are known carcinogens, which take hold due to smokers' lower immunity and greater oxidative stress. Cancerous growth can result, which may affect many areas of the body over time.
The CDC identifies tobacco use as a known cause of cancers of the mouth, larynx, throat, blood, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder and uterus. While not yet scientifically proven, it is thought to cause cancers of the prostate, breast, liver and colon.
Other Health Problems
Long-term smoking is associated with premature skin wrinkling and yellowing, and with tooth loss, gum deterioration and macular degeneration. The American Cancer Society notes that these health problems can significantly affect the quality of smokers' lives.
The CDC also lists low bone density and resulting hip fractures as conditions found to occur commonly in long-term women smokers than female nonsmokers.
References
- U.S. Department of Health & Human Services: New Surgeon General's Report Expands List of Diseases Caused by Smoking
- American Heart Association: Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC: Highlights: How Smoking Harms People of All Ages
- MayoClinic.com: COPD
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC: Health Effects of Smoking
