Nearly 25 million men and about 21 million women in America are smokers, according to the American Heart Association. Cigarettes in the U.S. contain higher levels of carcinogens---substances that can cause cancer---because of the way their tobacco is grown and cured, explains PhysOrg.com. Tobacco smoke also contains toxic chemicals, including formaldehyde, ammonia, toluene and benzene. Over time, these chemicals can lead to several health problems.
Cancer
Cigarette smoking causes many different types of cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related death, according to the National Cancer Institute. Some of the cancers smoking causes include lung, throat, bladder, pancreas, stomach, cervix and acute myeloid leukemia. Smokers of any age can significantly lower their risk of cancer by quitting smoking.
Cardiovascular Disease
Smoking affects the cardiovascular system---heart, arteries, veins, capillaries and blood---in various ways. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute indicates that smoking injures blood vessel walls and increases hardening of the arteries. It can cause fatty deposits in arteries, a condition known as atherosclerosis, as well as blood clots, cardiac arrhythmia, heart attacks and stroke. Years of smoking can also lead to a condition called peripheral vascular disease, which refers to fatty buildups in peripheral arteries.
Lung Disorders
Cancer isn't the only problem that smoking poses to your lungs. It's the main culprit behind a condition called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, according to the American Lung Association. Cigarette smoking also heightens your risk of developing pneumonia, an infection that can be caused by bacteria, viruses or fungi.
Skin Problems
When smoking causes blood vessels to accumulate fatty deposits and harden, they become narrower and transport less blood oxygen to your skin. Your skin is more likely to develop wrinkles and lines and to start sagging, explains MayoClinic.com. Chemicals in tobacco smoke also break down collagen and elastin in your skin---essential proteins that keep skin taut and elastic. Also, continually pursing your lips when you smoke creates fine lines around your them.
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