The cons of smoking are legion, starting but not ending with how they affect your quality and quantity of life. Voluntary use of cigarettes and other tobacco products account for 1 of every 5 mortalities in the United States, says the American Cancer Society, making smoking the most preventable cause of death. A closer look at the cons of smoking tell you just how this habit affects your physical and mental health, as well as the health of those around you.
Cancer
According to the ACS, smoking causes 30 percent of all cancer deaths each year and accounts for 9 of 10 deaths from lung cancer. Smoking also causes other types of cancer, including cancer of the oral cavity---the lips, tongue and mouth---as well as the larynx, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, cervix, pancreas, kidneys and bladder. Smoking is also linked to acute myeloid leukemia.
Heart Disease
The American Heart Association states that smokers are more likely to develop illnesses that affect the heart, such as atherosclerosis, which causes fat to accumulate in the arteries. This causes coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. The National Cancer Institute states that 35 percent of smoking-related deaths are related to heart disease and stroke.
Other Health Concerns
Smoking also causes other illnesses, including lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which account for 25 percent of smoking-related deaths, says the NCI. Smoking puts you at risk for hip fractures, cataracts, pneumonia and other infections of the airway. Pregnant women risk having premature babies with low birth weights. Additionally smoking mothers increase their infant's risk of death from sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, when they smoke both before and after pregnancy.
Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke kills the people you love, accounting for roughly 46,000 deaths from heart disease in nonsmokers who live with people who do, and an additional 3,400 deaths from lung cancer, says the ACS. Secondhand or "passive" smoke causes nonsmokers to breathe in the same nicotine and chemicals as smokers involuntarily, putting them at risk for the same health concerns. There's no safe level of secondhand smoke exposure, says the ACS.
Smoking and Skin
Another con of smoking is that it tacks on years to your age by causing premature lines and wrinkles, says Mayo Clinic doctor Richard D. Hurt. These affect the skin not only on your face but all over your body. Nicotine causes your blood vessels to constrict, reducing blood flow to your skin. The longer you smoke and the more frequently you smoke, the more likely you'll notice signs of premature aging.
Nicotine Addiction
Just like alcohol and drug addiction, nicotine has a firm hold on willing users. Those who smoke experience withdrawal symptoms within a few hours after the last cigarette, says the National Institutes of Health. Symptoms of nicotine withdrawal include cigarette cravings, restlessness, insomnia, increased appetite, weight gain, lack of mental focus, headache and depression. Nicotine withdrawal is both physical and mental, says the NIH. People who habitually smoke find it difficult to control their need to pick up a cigarette, especially in certain environments and situations.
