Smoking & Your Health

Most people associate cigarette smoking and tobacco use with breathing problems and lung cancer. But smoking is also a major cause of cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) disease.
According to the American Heart Association, cigarette smoking is the most important preventable cause of premature death in the United States, accounting for 440,000 of the more than 2.4 million annual deaths.

Cigarettes have multiple poisons, including addictive nicotine, carbon monoxide, "tars," and hydrogen cyanide. There are 4,000 other chemicals of varying toxicity, including 43 known carcinogens.

Effects Of Smoking On Health

• Increased blood pressure and heart rate
• Decreased oxygen to the heart and to other tissues in the body
• Decreased exercise tolerance
• Increased risk of developing lung cancer, throat cancer, chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema
• Increased risk of developing coronary artery disease and heart attack
• Increased risk of developing peripheral artery disease and stroke
• Increased risk of developing diabetes
• Increased risk of developing a variety of other conditions, including gum disease and ulcers
• Increase tendency for blood clotting
• Increased risk of recurrent coronary artery disease after bypass surgery
• Damage to cells that line coronary arteries and other blood vessels
• Increased risk of becoming sick (especially among children: respiratory infections are more common among children exposed to secondhand smoke)

Harmful For Others

Cigarette smoke doesn't just affect smokers. When you smoke, the people around you are at risk for developing health problems, especially children. Environmental tobacco smoke (also called passive smoke or secondhand smoke) affects people who are frequently around smokers. Secondhand smoke can cause chronic respiratory conditions, cancer, and heart disease. The American Heart Association estimates that each year, about 37,000 to 40,000 people die from heart and blood vessel disease caused by other people's smoke.

Killing You Slowly

 

By quitting smoking you will prolong your life, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease & high blood pressure, you will feel healthier, you can look & feel better & save your money.