Why is smoking bad for you? The effects of smoking

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, with over 8 million deaths each year attributed to smoking-related diseases.
In this article, we’ll explore the many ways smoking harms your health and why quitting is the best choice for a longer, healthier life.

Your reasons to quit smoking

You may have your own reasons to quit smoking, but knowing the full extent of the dangers can often be the final push a person needs.

Whether it’s to improve your health, save money, or protect your loved ones from second-hand smoke, quitting smoking is an incredibly positive decision.

Once you understand how smoking impacts your body, the decision to quit becomes clearer. The good news is that once you stop smoking the body begins healing immediately.

How smoking affects your health

This section summarises the affects of smoking on the body but do you know the full nicotine withdrawal timeline?

1. Heart disease

Smoking is a primary contributor to heart disease, which remains one of the leading causes of death globally. According to the American Heart Association, smoking increases the risk of developing coronary artery disease, which can eventually lead to heart attacks.

Nicotine raises blood pressure, damages blood vessels, and makes the heart work harder.

Over time, this constant strain weakens the heart, reducing its ability to function properly. Smokers are also at a greater risk of stroke due to the effects smoking has on blood circulation.

2. Weak immune system

Smoking damages the immune system, reducing the body’s ability to fight infections. It lowers the number of white blood cells, which are responsible for attacking harmful pathogens. Smokers are also more prone to autoimmune diseases.

Various studies also show that smokers have a higher risk of infections such as pneumonia and influenza.

3. Lung inflammation

One of the most well-known effects of smoking is its impact on the lungs. Smoking causes chronic inflammation of the airways, which can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

These conditions make it harder to breathe and can significantly decrease the quality of life.

Chronic lung inflammation can also lead to the destruction of lung tissue, making it difficult for the lungs to function properly.

4. Mouth & throat health

Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs, it’s also detrimental to your mouth and throat. It can lead to gum disease, tooth loss, and an increased risk of oral cancers.

The National Cancer Institute states that smokers are six times more likely to develop oral cancer than non-smokers.

Smoking also weakens the immune defences in the mouth, making it easier for infections to take hold.

5. Damaged skin & premature ageing

The harmful chemicals in cigarettes don’t just affect your internal organs, they also damage your skin.
Smoking causes a reduction in blood flow to the skin, which deprives the skin of vital nutrients and oxygen.

This leads to the development of wrinkles, dull skin tone, and an increased risk of skin cancer.

The American Academy of Dermatology notes that smoking accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin, the fibres that keep skin firm and youthful. As a result, smokers often look older than they actually are.

6. Respiratory disease

Smoking is the leading cause of respiratory diseases like emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
The toxins in cigarettes damage the respiratory tract, causing inflammation and scarring. Over time, this damage can make it increasingly difficult to breathe.

The World Health Organisation state that smoking is responsible for 71% of all lung cancer cases and is a major contributor to other respiratory diseases, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Smoking also causes tiredness.

7. Vision and eye problems

Smoking increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and dry eye disease. Smoking reduces the oxygen supply to the eyes, leading to a higher likelihood of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), cataracts, and dry eye disease.

This can result in vision loss. In fact, smokers are four times more likely to develop AMD than non-smokers.

8. Smoking and the brain

Nicotine, the addictive substance in cigarettes alters the brain’s chemistry, leading to a perceived short-term sense of pleasure or relaxation. However, over time, smoking can lead to cognitive decline, memory issues, and mood disorders.

According to a study by Harvard Medical School, smoking is associated with an increased risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, due to the narrowing of blood vessels and reduced blood flow to the brain.

9. Smoking and cancer risk

Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, and it’s also linked to many other types of cancer, including cancers of the mouth, throat, pancreas, bladder, kidney, and cervix.

Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic. The longer and more frequently you smoke, the higher your risk of developing cancer.

10. Reproduction and fertility

Smoking affects both male and female fertility.

In women, smoking can reduce fertility by affecting the fallopian tubes and ovaries, making it harder to conceive. Smokers are also more likely to experience pregnancy complications, including miscarriage, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

In men, smoking can reduce sperm count and motility, which can lead to fertility problems.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, both men and women who smoke have a significantly higher risk of infertility.

What happens to the body when you quit smoking?

Discover Allen Carr’s Easyway programme to stop smoking for good

The good news is that quitting smoking is not only possible but easy with the right method.

At Allen Carr’s Easyway to Stop Smoking, we offer a scientifically proven, effective and drug-free method that helps individuals quit smoking without relying on willpower or suffering from cravings.

Our approach changes how you think about smoking, helping you understand why you smoke and breaking the mental and physical dependence on nicotine.
You can learn more about our revolutionary program and start your journey to a smoke-free life today.

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