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Effects of Smoking on Lungs

Tobacco smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and even arsenic. These chemicals have a devastating effect on the lungs and respiratory system, impairing their ability to function and often causing irreversible damage. Even a single cigarette can leave a substantial amount of tar in the lungs.

  1. Damage to Cilia

    • Cilia are the hair-like projections that help clean out airways in the respiratory system. When damaged by tobacco smoke, they cannot clean the airways properly, allowing toxins to build up in the lungs. These toxins lead to infection, inflammation and disease.

    Emphysema

    • Smoking is a primary cause of emphysema. The smoke itself damages the lungs' air sacs, making it difficult for the lungs to expand and contract.

    Bronchitis

    • Smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis. It is an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which are airways in the respiratory system. Symptoms include difficulty breathing and a cough that produces mucus.

    Pneumonia

    • Smoking raises the risk of contracting pneumonia, which is an inflammation of the lungs caused by an initial infection. Symptoms often include chest pain, a mucus-producing cough, shortness of breath and fever.

    Lung Cancer

    • Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. The toxins in tobacco smoke create cancerous cells in the lungs, eventually leading to malignant tumors.

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