Nicotine is an addictive drug that is legal and harmful. The damage that smoking nicotine does to the body accounts for an estimated 443,000 deaths, which is nearly one out of every five deaths each year in the United States. People who smoke inhale about 4,000 chemicals, other than nicotine, and more than 60 chemicals known to cause cancer, are found in tobacco smoke. Smoking can lead to an array of health problems, some of which are irreversible.
Breathing Problems
Smoking nicotine irritates your windpipe and your voice box. Your lung function is reduced and it is hard to breathe at times because of swelling and narrowing of your airways. Smoking creates excess mucus production in the lung passages which makes it harder to breathe and permanent damage to the air sac of your lungs may occur.
Eating Problems
Irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines can occur from smoking cigarettes. There is an increased risk of ulcers along the digestive tract that are painful and gum disease. Smokers experience a decrease in their ability to smell and taste. All of these symptoms can deter people from proper eating and lead to malnourishment.
Bone Problems
Smoking reduces the density (thickness) of your bones, which leads to easier breaks and osteoporosis in later life.
Reproductive Problems
Men who smoke tobacco can experience a lower sperm count and a higher number of deformed sperm which are incapable of creating life. The sperm that smokers produce have reduced mobility, lessening the chance of the sperm coming in contact with an egg. Damage to the blood vessels in the penis and a reduced blood flow may occur and lead to male impotence. Women smokers may experience fertility problems because of irregular menstrual cycles and earlier menopause.
Infection Problems
Your immune system is what helps you fight off infections and, when you smoke tobacco, this system is weakened, leaving you susceptible to illness.
Cancer
Smoking accounts for 90 percent of lung cancer cases in men and 80 percent in women. There are an array of cancers attributed to smoking such as cancer of the pancreas, cervix, bladder, esophagus, larynx, kidney, mouth, stomach and uterus.
Reduced Circulation
Tobacco smokers experience higher blood pressure and higher heart rates and, because of this, have an increased risk of strokes. Blood vessels in the skin of smokers are constricted leading to a drop in skin temperature. Oxygen levels in the blood are lower and the blood is more prone to clotting in people who smoke tobacco.
