According to the American Lung Association (ALA), smoking is the number one preventable cause of death in the United States. Despite this, the ALA estimates that 20.6 percent of people in the United States were smokers in 2008. When smoking a cigarette, smoke interacts and potentially damages the mouth, trachea (wind pipe) and lungs. From the lungs, the chemicals in cigarette smoke enter the blood stream, where they cause multiple detrimental effects throughout the body.
Heart Disease
The American Heart Association (AHA) reports that cigarette smoking causes fatty buildup in the arteries, also called atherosclerosis. The fatty buildup damages the arteries, leading to cardiovascular disease. In fact, the AHA indicates that atherosclerosis is the chief cause of death due to smoking. Smoking also increases blood pressure and increases the tendency for blood to clot in the arteries. Blood clots that block blood flow lead to life-threatening strokes. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) reports that people who smoke are up to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmokers.
People who smoke have a more difficult time breathing during strenuous exercise, and thus are less likely to exercise regularly. Women who smoke and take oral contraceptives greatly increase their risk of experiencing blood clots and/or coronary heart disease (versus using oral contraceptives alone). Smoking also decreases HDL ("good") cholesterol, which also increases the risk of developing heart disease.
Cancer
The damage caused to the tissues by cigarette smoke also greatly increase the risk of developing cancer. The NCI reports that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Furthermore, smoking is the principle cause of lung cancer, causing approximately 90 percent of cancer deaths in men and approximately 80 percent in women. Smoking also is linked to increased risk of cancer of the throat, mouth, pancreas, cervix, bladder and kidney.
Digestive System
The National Institute of Diabetes and Kidney and Digestive Diseases, through the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), reports that smoking can have multiple detrimental effects on the digestive system. These effects include heart burn, peptic ulcer, liver disease, gallstones and increasing the complications of Crohn's disease.
Respiratory Health
Besides causing lung cancer, smoking cigarettes can also cause other problems associated with damage to the lungs. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking causes emphysema, bronchitis and chronic airway obstruction. Smoking also worsens the symptoms of chronic lung diseases like asthma.
