When you smoke, you jeopardize your health and the health of those who inhale the smoke from your cigarettes. The risks associated with smoking are many, because smoking has a negative effect on all your body's organs. Smoking is even more risky for women, since the habit can effect conception and pregnancy. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the health problems associated with smoking cigarettes take about 443,000 lives annually in America.
Cancer Risk
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Smoking causes approximately 90 percent of all lung cancer deaths in men, 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths in women and 90 percent of deaths from chronic obstructive lung disease." The habit of smoking causes oral cancer, kidney cancer, lung cancer, cancer of the cervix, cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the uterus and other types of cancer.
Lung Disorder Risk
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, there are over 4,000 substances in cigarettes, and a lot of those substances are toxic and put a smoker at risk for respiratory illnesses such as emphysema and bronchitis. People exposed to smoke are also at risk for these diseases. Inhaling smoke has a harmful effect on the lung's airways and the alveoli.
Heart Disease and Stroke Risk
Smoking puts you at risk for cardiovascular disease. It reduces the width of the arteries, resulting in decreased circulation. Peripheral vascular disease is a risk factor and can lead to gangrene. Smokers are also at risk for a disorder of the aorta called abdominal aortic aneurysm. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people who smoke are two to four times more at risk of having a stroke than people who do not smoke.
Pregnancy Risk
A pregnant woman smoker puts her baby at risk for health problems. She also runs the risk of giving birth prematurely, giving birth to an underweight baby and having a stillbirth. A woman smoker also increases chances of becoming infertile.
Risk of Digestive Problems
Smoking increases your chances of developing disorders of the digestive system. It also increases the possibility of getting Crohn's disease, gallstones and liver damage. Heartburn and peptic ulcers are health problems smokers are more at risk for as well. According to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, digestive system disorders caused by smoking do not last long, but those who quit smoking continue to be vulnerable to Crohn's disease.
