According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, smoking is responsible for 20 percent of deaths annually in the United States. Smoking increases the risk of developing heart disease, lung disorders and different types of cancer. Much of the damage that occurs due to cigarette smoking is reversible. It's never too late to quit smoking.
Heart Problems
The CDC reports that coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Smoking cigarettes increases the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease. Smoking also dramatically increases the odds of suffering a stroke. Smokers are also more likely to suffer from peripheral vascular disease than nonsmokers. Peripheral vascular disease causes blood vessels to constrict, interfering with circulation.
Lung Disease
According to the University of Virginia Health System, smoking increases the risk of developing a variety of lung ailments. Chronic bronchitis causes coughing and is the result of inflammation of the airways. When damage occurs to the air sacs in the lungs, the smoker develops emphysema, a chronic health condition that causes shortness of breath, fatigue and coughing.
Secondhand Smoke
Exposure to secondhand smoke can lead to the same health problems as those associated with actual smoking. The University of Virginia Health System reports that almost 3,000 deaths from lung cancer each year result from exposure to secondhand smoke. They also state that children exposed to secondhand smoke are more prone to asthma and ear infections, and have an increased risk of suffering from sudden infant death syndrome.
