Smoking is the leading cause of preventable illness, disability and death in the United States. Tobacco is both highly addictive and toxic to the body, making for a deadly combination. Its effects are wide-reaching and affect the lungs, cardiovascular system, brain and other organs. Awareness about the dangers of tobacco smoking helps potential smokers make intelligent decisions about their health.
Respiratory Disease
While lung cancer is the most well-publicized consequence of smoking, tobacco can also cause other deadly forms of lung disease. Emphysema---a condition that involves destruction of lung tissue---is a major risk of tobacco smoking. Cigarette smoke causes emphysema by creating particles that become trapped in the airways, resulting in inflammation that destroys lung tissue over time.
Chronic bronchitis is another possible complication of smoking. Symptoms include wheezing, chronic cough and shortness of breath that worsens with exertion.
Cancer
Tobacco smoking can cause or contribute to the development of many types of cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, cigarette smoking increases the risk for cancers of the mouth, pancreas, stomach, urinary tract and esophagus.
Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 toxic chemicals, more than 50 of which are known to cause cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. In addition to the carcinogenic chemicals in tobacco smoke, cigarettes also contain radioactive materials like polonium-210 that are thought to further increase the risk of cancer.
Cardiovascular Disease
Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease, especially in patients with other risk factors like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, smoking contributes to heart disease by raising blood pressure, increasing blood clotting and reducing exercise tolerance. In addition, tobacco constricts blood vessels, leading to a greater risk for peripheral artery disease and stroke. Women over 35 who take oral contraceptives and smoke are at an even greater risk for heart disease than those who only smoke.
Gum Disease
Gingivitis and periodontal disease are more common in smokers and smokeless tobacco users than the general population. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research lists smoking as one of the most significant risk factors for the development of gum disease. In addition, smoking can make pre-existing gum disease more difficult to treat, increasing the chances for tooth loss and other complications.
References
- American Cancer Society: Smoking and Cancer Mortality Table
- National Cancer Institute: Quitting Smoking: Why To Quit and How To Get Help
- American Heart Association: Cigarette Smoking and Cardiovascular Diseases
- National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Periodontal (Gum) Disease: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments
