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The Dangers of Smoking

by Debi Rideout

Overview

The United States Surgeon General's 1982 report says that "Cigarette smoking is the major cause of cancer mortality in the United States." That means that because of cigarette smoking, people die. Smoking can kill you. Not only can it kill you, but it can also kill people around you.
Cancer

According to Cancer Facts & Figures 2008 at www.cancer.org, tobacco use accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths and 87% of lung cancer deaths. The number one cancer caused by smoking cigarettes is lung cancer. Lung cancer is caused by the tar in tobacco smoke. When a person smokes a cigarette, the tar sticks to the lungs. Smoking can also cause pancreas, stomach, kidney, and bladder cancer as well as cancer of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, and esophagus. It is also believed to cause certain kinds of leukemia.

Cardiovascular Disease and Respiratory Disease

Smoking cigarettes narrows the blood vessels because of the nicotine and carbon monoxide that are in cigarettes. That puts a huge strain on the blood vessels and heart. That leads to cardiovascular/coronary heart disease and stokes. Smoking cigarettes also can lead to respiratory disease. It can give you bronchitis or even lead to a more serious condition called emphysema.
Women & Pregnancy

Smoking cigarettes can cause women to have difficulty getting pregnant. Once a woman is pregnant, smoking causes all sorts of dangers. It can increase a woman's chance of pregnancy complications, such as premature birth or a stillbirth. Smoking can lead to a low birth weight for the baby and can harm the baby's lungs, which could to lead to respiratory infections and asthma. It also increases the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Second-hand Smoke

Smoking is dangerous for the smoker and for people around him. The Cancer Fact & Figures 2008 at www.cancer.org states that 3,000 non-smoking adults die of lung cancer each year as a result of breathing second hand smoke. Second-hand smoke can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). It slows lung growth in children, can cause wheezing coughing, asthma, and respiratory infections. Second-hand smoke also affects children's ears and causes middle ear infections.
Other Effects

Smoking also affects your appearance. It can cause your teeth to yellow, rot, and cause gum disease. The smell of smoke clings to your clothes, hair, skin, and other things. It can cause hip fractures, ulcers, and major eye issues, including cataracts or even macular degeneration.