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10 Dangers of Smoking

Cigarette smoke contains tar, carbon monoxide and nicotine. If carbon monoxide isn't deadly enough for you, then consider the fact that tar contains 4,000 chemicals, including cyanide, benzene, formaldehyde, methanol, acetylene and ammonia. Each time you take a drag, you are inhaling poison. If cigarettes still don't seem dangerous to you, then consider the fact that radioactive compounds are found in tobacco leaves. Even if you don't inhale, you let your cells come into contact with toxins. The toxicity of cigarettes links smoking with 10 dangers.

  1. Cancer

    • Lung cancer is not only form of cancer you should worry about if you are a smoker. Smoking has an ill effect on practically every organ in your body. Smoking is linked with cancer of the esophagus, larynx, mouth, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix.

    Chronic Bronchitis

    • Smoking causes mucus to form in the lungs, which leads to chronic inflammation and frequent coughing. Eventually, airways become blocked by scarring and mucus, leading to lung infections.

    COPD

    • According to the American Cancer Society, more than 10 million people suffer from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The term describes both chronic bronchitis and emphysema. More than 75 percent of COPD deaths are caused by smoking.

    Fertility Problems

    • If you are planning to conceive, then stop smoking immediately. A compound called NAH found in cigarette smoke is known to cause the ovaries to shut down. Women smokers, therefore, increase their chances of developing an irregular menstrual cycle.

    Pregnancy Risk

    • If you are pregnant and smoking, then you increase your chances of having a miscarriage. Smoking reduces birth weight and may lead to other complications later in a baby's life, such as risk of diabetes, obesity and mental retardation.

    Shortened Lifespan

    • The British Medical Journal published an eye-opening paper. According to a 50-year study of British doctors who smoke, lifelong smokers die 10 years before non-smokers or those who stopped smoking by age 30.

      The study began in 1951 and was completed in 2001. It was conducted by Oxford University faculty members Richard Doll, professor of medicine; Richard Veto, professor of medical statistics; Jillian Borehem, senior research fellow; and Isabelle Sutherland, research assistant.

    Poor Sex Life

    • Smoking is a leading cause of erectile dysfunction in men. WebMd reporter Jeanie Lerche Davis cites a study conducted by Tulane University School of Public Health which reveals that men who smoke 20 or more cigarettes a day have a 60 percent higher risk of developing ED.

    Emphysema

    • Emphysema is a lung disorder in which lung capacity is reduced. The surface area of your lungs is made up of tiny sacs. When the walls of these sacs are ruptured, you gain larger sacs but fewer of them. With less surface area, the lungs absorb less oxygen. Thus, as the disease progresses, emphysema patients start gasping for breath.

    Heart Disease

    • The American Heart Association stresses the connection between smoking and increased risk for heart disease. Smoking raises blood pressure, lowers exercise tolerance, increases the chances of a blood clot and lowers HDL (the good cholesterol).

    Poor Immune Function

    • Smokers have poorly functioning immune systems. With poor immune function, wounds do not heal quickly, and a smoker is more susceptible to colds, allergies and infections.

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