Smoking is frequently cited as a major health hazard that can cause a number of diseases, many of which are preventable by not smoking. The health hazards of smoking are well-documented and include a wide range of respiratory and other conditions. Knowing the facts on the health hazards of smoking can help you understand why quitting smoking is so important to your health.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is the No. 1 killer of smokers, according to NetDoctor. Cardiovascular disease usually kills people through a combination of the hardening and narrowing of the arteries, increasing the risk of heart attack and the formation of blood clots, which can lead to heart attack, stroke or pulmonary embolism. Smoking speeds up the damage to the arteries and also increases the blood's tendency to form clots, putting smokers at a greater risk of dying of cardiovascular disease at a younger age than non-smokers.
Cancer
There are approximately 1,500 different toxins in the average cigarette, according to PBS Kids. Many of these toxins are known to cause or greatly increase your risk of developing certain cancers. Cancer of the mouth, including the tongue, lips and gums, is more common among smokers than nonsmokers. Smoking has also been tied to increases in gastrointestinal cancers such as pancreatic cancer. Fully 90 percent of lung cancer cases can be attributed to the patient's smoking habit.
Emphysema and Lung Diseases
The lung disease emphysema is disease well known to be associated with smoking. According to Men's Health magazine, smoking not only increases the risk of emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, but also over time damages the lungs' cilia, which are responsible for keeping the lungs free of irritants and hazardous substances. Damaged or destroyed cilia cannot effectively clean the lungs. The result is an increase in lung diseases and greater health risks from colds, pneumonia and similar respiratory diseases.
