The consequences of smoking cigarettes begin with an impact on finances and go on to include addiction and health problems that may end in death. The likelihood of tobacco users dying from a smoking-related diseases is about 50 percent, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Smoking any kind of tobacco raises the risk for harming nonsmokers as well, through secondhand smoke or third-hand particulate. As a result, individuals who smoke are faced with increasing legal and social restrictions.
Nicotine Dependence
As the Nemours Foundation points out, it takes just a time or two of smoking cigarettes to become addicted to nicotine. This carcinogenic substance produces the euphoric feeling that tobacco users crave. A quickly developed tolerance for and dependence on nicotine, however, is what compels smokers to persist in the habit even when they want to stop smoking. As per the National Institute on Drug Abuse, only about 10 percent of smokers ever do quit.
Respiratory Decline
Smoking cigarettes has immediate and long-term effects on the respiratory system. Occasional throat irritation may become a daily "smoker's cough" as the airways are damaged and scarred. The excess mucus produced in response to this chronic bronchitis obstructs breathing, as the Nemours Foundation reports. Additional stress on lung tissue further degrades respiration and, with long-term tobacco use, results in emphysema, an incurable health problem that can cause death.
Cardiovascular Decline
Immediate and long-term damage to the heart and blood vessels is also linked with smoking. Changes in cholesterol, blood pressure and oxygen levels reduce circulation and lead to coronary heart disease, according to the American Heart Association. Life-threatening health problems such as heart attack, stroke and aneurysm are more likely in tobacco users and people who are exposed to secondhand smoke.
Cancer Risk Increase
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control notes that smoking cigarettes raises the risk of smokers developing lung cancer by up to 23 times. Exposure to secondhand smoke, also increases the risk for lung cancer. In addition to this usually fatal disease, smoking is attributed to the development of lip, mouth, throat, larynx, esophageal, stomach, kidney, pancreatic, bladder and uterine cancers.
Social Consequences
The American Lung Association points out that tobacco use laws are increasingly segregating smokers from nonsmokers. Their isolation is compounded by a decreasing acceptance of the health problems caused by secondhand smoke in the workplace, public areas and private homes. This can limit employment, social and romantic opportunities as the 80 percent of the public that doesn't smoke chooses not to interact with those who do.
