Introduction

You know that smoking is bad for you, but do you truly understand the harsh realities of what it does to your body? As the smoke from cigarettes enters your lungs, it damages the delicate tissues and causes scarring. This makes it increasingly difficult for your lungs to function properly and get oxygen into your blood. The chemicals in the smoke also enter your bloodstream, damaging your heart and blood vessels. Over time, smoking clogs your arteries, raises your blood pressure, and makes your heart work harder. The effects accumulate slowly, so you may not notice them at first. But after years of smoking, you'll find yourself short of breath, fatigued, and at higher risk of life-threatening health issues like heart disease, lung cancer, and other respiratory illnesses. The truth is, that smoking destroys nearly every organ in your body. Quitting is the best thing you can do for your long-term health and well-being.

The Immediate Effects of Smoking on Your Body

The moment you inhale cigarette smoke, the damage begins. Nicotine and toxins enter your bloodstream, raising your blood pressure and heart rate. Carbon monoxide reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood, putting strain on your heart.

Within minutes, smoking narrows your arteries and makes blood clots more likely. It inflames the lining of your lungs, leading to coughing and excess phlegm. Your lungs have to work harder to function properly. Smoking stains your lungs, fingernails, and hair, and causes your breath, hair, and clothes to smell unpleasant.

Long-term smoking accelerates skin aging and wrinkling. It stains your teeth and fingernails yellow and causes frequent colds, reduced sense of smell and taste, and a husky, raspy voice. Smoking reduces fertility and lowers sex drive in both men and women.

Secondhand smoke exposure is also extremely harmful and causes over 600,000 premature deaths per year among non-smokers according to the WHO. There is no safe level of exposure. Ventilation and air purifiers cannot eliminate the health risks.

The bottom line is that smoking and secondhand smoke have devastating health consequences. But the good news is that quitting smoking can significantly reduce health risks and add years to your life. Talk to your doctor about resources to help you quit for good. Your health and quality of life depend on it.

 Long-Term Health Risks of Smoking

Long-term smoking can lead to health issues that significantly reduce both quality of life and life expectancy.

Heart Disease and Stroke

Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, including heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease. Smoking causes plaque buildup in the arteries, known as atherosclerosis, which can lead to blockages and blood clots. According to the CDC, smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by 2 to 4 times.

Lung Diseases

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, makes it difficult to breathe and get oxygen to the blood. Lung cancer is also directly linked to smoking and accounts for the vast majority of lung cancer deaths. Smoking is estimated to cause 90% of lung cancer cases.

Other Cancers

In addition to lung cancer, smoking also increases the risk of throat, mouth, esophageal, and bladder cancers. Cervical cancer risk is also higher in women who smoke.

Impotence and Infertility

Smoking can damage blood vessels and impact blood flow, which can contribute to erectile dysfunction in men. Smoking also damages sperm and eggs, and secondhand smoke exposure is linked to infertility in women.

The health consequences of long-term smoking are devastating, but the good news is that quitting smoking can significantly reduce health risks and add years of healthy life. The sooner you quit, the more you can reverse the damage. Talk to your doctor about options to help you become smoke-free for life.

Quitting Smoking Improves Your Health at Any Age

Quitting smoking can add years to your life and life to your years. No matter your age, quitting will have significant health benefits.

Your lungs begin to heal

Within days of quitting, your lung function starts to improve. Coughing, sinus congestion, and shortness of breath decrease. Fatigue and stress levels are reduced. The tiny hair-like structures in your lungs that help clear debris and mucus, called cilia, start to repair themselves and function properly again. Over time, your lungs can heal some of the damage caused by smoking.

Heart disease risk is cut in half

Within a year of quitting, your risk of heart attack decreases by half. Circulation and lung function improve, making physical activity and exercise easier. High blood pressure decreases. Quitting also lowers your risk of peripheral vascular disease, which can cause pain while walking.

Cancer risk decreases

For smokers, the risk of developing lung cancer is cut in half within 1 to 2 years of quitting. The risk of mouth, throat, esophageal, and bladder cancers decreases. Cervical cancer risk for women also declines.

Improved sense of smell and taste

As your lung function increases, your ability to smell and taste also improves. Food will seem more flavorful. Your breath, hair, and clothes will smell better. Your teeth and fingernails stop staining.

Quitting smoking, no matter your age or how long you've smoked, can significantly improve your health and add years to your life. The sooner you quit, the sooner your body can begin to heal the damage from smoking and lower your health risks. Talk to your doctor about tools and strategies to help you become smoke-free.