Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States, according to the American Lung Association. An estimated 443,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related causes, including persons exposed to secondhand smoke.
Smoking is also as costly as it is potentially deadly. In 2006, Americans spent approximately $83.6 billion dollars on cigarette, $3.2 billion on cigars and $2.6 billion on smokeless tobacco. Still, many persons continue to smoke and many young teens will still light up for the first time despite the risk factors.
Cancer Risks
Your risk of cancer increases every time you light up a cigarette. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking accounts for nearly 30 percent of cancer deaths. It increases the risk for cancers of the lung, throat, esophagus, stomach, cervix, bladder, kidney and acute myeloid leukemia. Although smoking increases cancer risk, less than half of smoking-related deaths each year are a result of cancer.
Cardiovascular Risks
According to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease. It also causes poor blood circulation and narrows the arteries, increasing your risk for peripheral vascular disease. Smoking also increases your risk of developing an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Respiratory Risks
Nine out of 10 cancer deaths is a result of lung cancer. Lung cancer is the leading smoking-related cancer death in men and women and one of the most difficult cancers to treat, according to the American Cancer Society. Smoking also causes emphysema, bronchitis and chronic airway obstruction. Smoking aggravate asthma and pneumonia symptoms.
Reproductive Health and Other Risks
Smoking can affect fertility and can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth and stillbirth. It also can cause low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS. Smoking contributes to other health problems such as low bone density, hip fractures, gum disease, cataracts and peptic ulcers, as well as male impotence, according to the American Cancer Society.
Secondhand Smoke Risks
Exposure to secondhand smoke carries many of the same health risks as firsthand smoke, according to the American Lung Association. Short-term exposure to secondhand smoke can trigger a heart attack. Long-term exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to lung cancer and heart disease. Secondhand smoke can cause respiratory tract infections in children under 18 months old and in infants, as well as SIDS. Secondhand smoke may also aggravate asthma symptoms in children.
