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Unhealthy Effects of Smoking

A cigarette contains hundreds of ingredients. When burned, a cigarette can create 4,000 different chemicals. Of these chemicals, more than 50 can contribute to the development of various forms of cancer, as noted by the American Lung Association. Some of these chemicals include acetone, arsenic, ammonia, lead, tar and carbon monoxide.

  1. Cancers

    • Smoking can contribute to lung cancer, throat cancer, mouth cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer and other cancers. The National Cancer Institute indicates that lung cancer is the biggest contributor to cancer-related deaths due to smoking. Up to 90 percent of men and 80 percent of women smokers die within the U.S. each year due to cancer that's related to smoking.

    Secondhand Smoke

    • Cigarette smoke is as damaging as smoking.

      Secondhand smoke contains two different forms of smoke. Sidestream smoke develops from the end of a cigarette. Mainstream smoke is exhaled. Inhalation of sidestream smoke can be more damaging than mainstream smoke, as sidestream smoke contains carcinogens, according to The American Cancer Society. The carcinogens from secondhand smoke can contribute to heart disease, breast cancer, lung cancer, lung infections and emphysema.

    Cardiovascular Disease

    • Smokers are at risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Blood vessels become constricted due to smoking. As a result, large arteries within your arms and legs can become obstructed. Aneurysms can also develop. An aneurysm can swell or weaken, resulting in possible rupturing. Smokers are more likely to suffer from heart attacks than non-smokers.

    Other Effects

    • Smoking also harms your fetus.

      Other unhealthy effects of smoking include increased risk of stroke, possible infertility, stillbirth, other health related pregnancy complications and adverse effects on bone density in postmenopausal women. Nearly half a million deaths occur every year as a result of smoking. This calculates to one out of every five dying within the U.S. due to smoking, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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