Smoking produces effects on the body that can lead to poor health including cancer, heart disease, and frequent lung infections. Other effects of smoking on the body include changes in skin health that include premature wrinkles and skin dullness. Smoking is one of the leading causes of lung disease that can destroy quality of life and lead to early death.
Cancer
Smoking can lead to cancer due to the chemicals contained in tobacco and from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), known carcinogens found in cigarette smoke, air, water and food. PAH exposure damages genes, in turn leading to abnormal cell growth and cancer. The study "Smoking Increases Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Human Lung Tissue" highlights findings that the amount of PAH in lung tissue may be linked to lung cancer and tobacco smoke.
Wrinkles and Skin Damage
Smoking leads to wrinkles and changes in skin texture and color, causing dullness. Smoking can lead to premature aging of the skin. The Mayo Clinic explains that nicotine impairs blood flow to the outer layers of the skin. Collagen and elastin, essential for healthy skin, become damaged. When blood vessels constrict from the effect of nicotine, the skin is also deprived of oxygen and nutrients, leading to skin damage and wrinkles. Stopping smoking can prevent further skin damage.
Heart Disease
Because nicotine constricts blood vessels, smoking increases the risk of heart and vascular disease. Narrow blood vessels lead to high blood pressure that can also cause stroke. Lack of oxygen from chronic lung disease, brought about by chronic tobacco abuse, puts a strain on the heart. According to the journal "Circulation," in an article titled "Cigarette Smoking, Cardiovascular Disease, and Stroke - A Statement for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association," 30 percent of coronary heart disease deaths can be attributed to cigarette smoking.
Lung Infection
Cigarette smoking makes us more vulnerable to lung infection. Cilia, small hairlike structures that line the lungs and clear mucous, become damaged and stop working in smokers. As time passes, the damage can become irreversible. The inability to clear mucous from the lungs increases the changes of lung infection because mucous stays in the air passages. The American Cancer Society warns there are no safe cigarettes, including light cigarettes, menthol and herbal brands.
Lung Disease
Smoking causes lung tissue to become inflamed and swollen, leading to bronchitis, emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Chemicals in cigarettes irritate the airways and cause breakdown of the tiny air sacs deep in the lungs called alveoli where oxygen exchange takes place. Lung disease makes it difficult to breathe comfortably. Over time the alveoli become larger and fewer in numbers, leading to impaired oxygen exchange. Smoking, after lung tissue is destroyed, leads to decreased lung function and the need for supplemental oxygen and medications. COPD can make it difficult to perform normal daily activities that we all take for granted, such as bathing and dressing.
