Today the health risks associated with smoking are no secret. In fact, it's the No. 1 cause of preventable death in the United States, Still, Americans continue to smoke in alarming numbers. As of 2008, more than 46 million adults were smokers; that's more than 20 percent of the entire adult U.S. population. Every time you light up a cigarette, you increase your risk of contracting many life-threatening health conditions.
Death
Plain and simple, smoking increases your risk of premature death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 443,000 American die each year because of the health effects of smoking cigarettes. That amounts to 20 percent of all deaths in the United States. In fact, more people die from smoking-related causes than murder, car accidents, suicide, HIV, illegal drug use and alcohol abuse combined, the CDC reports.
Cancer
Lung cancer is one of the greatest risks associated with tobacco smoking, which causes about 87 percent of all lung cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society. In total, tobacco contributes to more than 30 percent of cancer deaths. Lung cancer isn't the only risk; smoking also increases the likelihood of developing several other types of cancer, including cervical, pancreatic, stomach and kidney cancer as well as some types of leukemia.
Lung Disease
Even if you escape lung cancer, you may still develop a chronic lung disease as a result of smoking. Respiratory conditions such as emphysema, chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease--or COPD--all can be caused by smoking, and these diseases can be just as devastating and deadly as lung cancer. COPD, for example, is the fourth-leading cause of death in the United States, and more than 10 million Americans are suffering from the disease, the American Cancer Society reports.
Heart Disease
Smoking tobacco also contributes to your risk of developing coronary artery disease. When you smoke, blood vessels become constricted because of cholesterol deposits. Blood can also clot within the blood vessels, a condition called thrombosis. These effects on the cardiopulmonary system increase your risk for a heart attack, a stroke and irregular heart beats, all of which can be fatal, according to the National Library of Medicine.
Reproductive Health
Both men and women who smoke can become infertile or may have a more difficult time conceiving. Women who smoke while pregnant also put their babies at risk. Smoking while pregnant can cause preterm labor, low birth weight and stillborn births, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns.
Financial Health
If the health risks associated with tobacco use aren't frightening enough, consider how deeply it affects your financial health. In 2009, the federal tax on a pack of cigarettes increased to $1.01 per pack, according to the CDC. States, too, have begun levying higher taxes on cigarettes. The average state cigarette tax increased 267 percent between 1995 and 2009, amounting to an average of $1.20 per pack. Those costs are in addition to the actual cost of the cigarettes. With a pack-a-day habit, you are spending thousands of dollars a year to feed your addiction.
References
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking
- American Cancer Society: What in Cigarette Smoke Is Harmful?
- National Library of Medicine: Smoking-The Facts
- American Lung Association: Smoking
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Steady Increases in Tobacco Taxes Promote Quitting, Discourage Smoking
