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Seven Facts About Why Smoking Tobacco Is Harmful

Warnings to quit smoking are everywhere. Smoking tobacco is bad for you. You have heard the warnings so many times that you might just tune it out. There are reasons, however, to pay attention to the warnings. Smoking is an addiction. Your body craves a regular supply of nicotine. Knowing these seven facts about why smoking tobacco is harmful helps you overcome the addiction.

  1. Health Risks

    • Fact No. 1: Smoking increases your risk of developing a chronic and disabling condition. Smoking reduces circulation to your arms and legs by narrowing the arteries and veins that carry blood to your fingers and toes. This slows the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells. This is known as peripheral vascular disease.

      Fact No. 2: The increased risk of developing coronary artery disease or of having a stroke is two to four times higher than non-smokers.

      Fact No. 3: Smokers who undergo a surgical procedure have a lower survival rate than non-smokers. This is due to a weaker immune system, slower wound healing and increased respiratory complications.

    Early Death

    • Fact No. 4: More deaths are caused each year by smoking tobacco than from HIV, illegal drug use, alcohol use, murder, suicide and motor vehicle accidents combined. Men who smoke are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer and women smokers are 13 times more likely to develop it than non-smokers.

      Fact No. 5: Smokers are also 12 times more likely to die of emphysema or chronic bronchitis than non-smokers.

    Smoking Lowers Fertility

    • Fact No. 6: Women who smoke have more difficulty getting pregnant. When they do become pregnant, they have an increased risk of having an early delivery, still birth or low-birthweight infant. Their babies are at higher risk for sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS.

    Smokers Don't Age Well

    • Fact No. 7: Post menopausal women who smoke have a lower bone density than non-smoking women. This increases the chance of bone fractures and disability from bone and joint problems. Smoking also leads to cataract formation. The increased risk of developing cataracts is two to three times the risk of non-smokers. Cataracts are a leading cause of blindness.

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