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Long-Term Effect of Smoking

Smoking has many negative health consequences if it is done over a long period of time. Smoking damages every organ in the body and is known to shorten lifespan. The addictive nature of smoking makes it more dangerous because it is hard to quit. In addition to nicotine, the main chemical produced by smoking tobacco, there are over 500 other chemicals produced by lighting and smoking just one cigarette or cigar. Smoking is so dangerous to health that every pack of cigarettes in the United States is required to carry a Surgeon General's warning stating the dangers of smoking. The good news is that some of the damage caused by a long-term smoking habit can be reversed by quitting the habit.

  1. Damage to the Lungs

    • Long-term smoking causes great stress on the lungs. A long-term smoker will have a reduced lung capacity from smoking. Smoking damages the inner lining of the lungs with each inhalation of smoke. Over time, the byproducts of the smoke inhaled will cause tar to accumulate in the lungs. This damage will lessen the ability of the lungs to remove toxins from your body.

    Cancer

    • Cigarettes contain approximately 60 chemicals which are carcinogens. Carcinogens are chemicals which are poisonous and damaging to the health. Smoking greatly increases the risk of developing many types of cancers including cancers of the lung, larynx, kidney, bladder and mouth. Most types of cancer can be treated, but often cancer is fatal.

    Damage to the Cardiovascular System

    • Smoking causes serious damage to the entire cardiovascular system. Smoke damages the lining of the arteries and causes them to shrink. This causes a restriction of blood flow to all extremities of the body and forces the heart to work harder to produce enough blood for bodily functions. This can cause a smoker to feel extremely fatigued the longer she smokes. Smoking also increases the likelihood of developing heart disease.

    Increased Risk of Illness

    • Smoking make a person more susceptible to catching common colds, coughs and other illnesses. This is because the body is constantly trying to remove as many of the carcinogens caused by smoke as possible from the body. This weakens the immune system. Recovery time from illnesses that affect the respiratory system takes longer in smokers because the lungs are already damaged from smoking.

    Skin, Hair and Teeth

    • Long-term smoking can also cause visible damage. Long-term smoking causes discoloration of the hair and teeth. Skin, the largest organ in the body, becomes dry and damaged. Long-term smoking is known to accelerate aging in both men and women. Long-term smokers will almost always look older than people in their peer age group.

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