Facts on Why We Shouldn't Smoke

The U.S. Surgeon General reported in December 2010 that even one cigarette can be lethal to an individual's health. The Surgeon General said smoking should be avoided because of the many different and negative impacts cigarettes can have on the body's organs.

Cigarettes and Cancer

• Smoking can cause bronchitis and emphysema.

  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking is known to cause leukemia, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, kidney cancer, voice box cancer, lung cancer, throat and mouth cancer, stomach cancer and uterine cancer. Smoking is responsible for 90 percent of lung cancer deaths among men and 80 percent of lung cancer deaths in women.

Smoking and Cardiovascular Disease

• According to the FDA, smoking increases the risk of a stroke.

  According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), smoking is responsible for one in every five deaths in the United States every year. Smoking can cause cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Cigarettes reduce circulation and narrow blood vessels, which can lead to obstruction of your body's arteries. Smoking has also been shown to cause aneurysms.

Smoking During Pregnancy

• Smoking during pregnancy puts your baby at risk.

  The Surgeon General, CDC and FDA all strongly advise against smoking during pregnancy. Smoking during pregnancy, or even secondhand smoke intake during pregnancy, can cause preterm delivery, stillbirth, low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome.