Smoking is a dangerous habit that exposes your body to more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which have been found to be hazardous to your health. Cigarette smoke can affect many aspects of your body and life, ranging from your physical health to your social health. If you choose to continue smoking, it's important to be aware of the possible consequences of your behavior, while if you choose to stop smoking, you will be glad to know the benefits you will receive.
Lungs
One major con of smoking is the overall effect it has on your lungs. As you inhale a cigarette, the smoke travels through your airways and into the lungs. Along your airways are tiny finger-like projections called cilia, which are designed to help prevent infection in the respiratory system. Unfortunately, cigarette smoke destroys these cilia, according to the Canadian Lung Association, leaving you at risk for chronic coughs and serious infection. Cigarette smoke also damages air sacks in your lungs called alveoli, making it more difficult for you to breathe. These effects can lead to dangerous lung diseases such as emphysema, bronchitis and chronic airway obstruction.
Cardiovascular Effects
Another disadvantage of smoking is the effect it has on your heart and blood vessels. The nicotine in cigarettes causes vasoconstriction, or a constriction of the blood vessels. This constriction increases the pressure needed for the heart to push blood through the smaller vessels--your blood pressure--putting you at a higher risk for heart disease and other heart-related problems.
Premature Aging
As blood vessels constrict due to nicotine, the ability of your body to transport oxygen and nutrients to the rest of your body decreases. Without oxygen and nutrients, your skin starts to look much older than it actually is, because of a leathery look, premature fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, those who smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day for 10 or more years are statistically more likely to develop these age-related skin signs than non-smokers, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Cancer
Cancer is a serious con of smoking cigarettes. In fact, cigarettes have 60 known carcinogens--cancer-causing ingredients--of the more than 4,000 chemicals that are created during the smoking process, according to the American Cancer Society. These carcinogens damage the cells of your body and lead to cancers including lung cancer, cervical cancer, esophageal cancer, oral cancer, stomach cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, bladder cancer and several others.
Rebound
One pro of not smoking is that after you quit, your body will begin to heal itself. Although not all damage caused by the cigarettes may heal, after quitting you may see better lung function as well as a decrease in blood pressure. Other benefits of not smoking include a reduced risk of stroke, cancer and heart disease each year you remain smoke-free.
Social Benefits
Another benefit of not smoking is the social benefits you will gain from not smoking. Your breath will improve, your clothes will not smell like smoke and your skin will start regaining its younger look as oxygen supply returns to the tissue. You also will not be exhaling second-hand smoke, which can make you easier to be around, and also help protect the health of those around you.
