What Are the Risks of Smoking?
Cigarette smoking probably has more harmful effects than any other commonly used drug, and affects more organs and tissues than most others. The total destructive nature of this one drug in the worldwide population is surpassed by no other, even though there are many drugs for which one dose is much worse than one cigarette. This is because it is so addictive and people use it so frequently for so long.
Diseases Associated with Smoking
| Atherosclerosis | Acute bronchitis | Allergies |
| Hypertension | Chronic bronchitis | Rhinitis |
| Heart disease | Emphysema | Sinusitis |
| Coronary artery disease | Lung cancer | Other infections |
| Peripheral vascular disease | Mouth cancer | Burns |
| Myocardial infarction | Tongue cancer | Peptic ulcers |
| Stroke | Laryngeal cancer | Varicose veins |
| Polycythemia | Esophageal cancer | Hiatal hernia |
| Low birth weight infants | Bladder cancer | Osteoporosis |
| Increased infant mortality | Kidney cancer | Periodontal disease |
| Alzheimer’s disease | Pancreatic cancer | Senility |
| Vitamin/mineral | Cervical cancer | Impotence |
| deficiencies | | |
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the biggest concerns with tobacco use, both because of the direct effects of nicotine on the circulatory system (irritation and increased atherosclerosis) and the effects of other agents, such as carbon monoxide in inhaled smoke, which displaces oxygen. Carbon monoxide reduces the delivery of vital oxygen, our key life force, to all of our cells. Even low-tar cigarettes have high levels of carbon monoxide. Because of reduced oxygen delivery, our body makes more red blood cells (polycythemia), which can thicken the blood and further slow the circulation.
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