Effects of Smoking

Long Term Effects of Smoking

Short Term Effects of Smoking

Short Term Effects of Smoking

1. Foul breath
2. Stained teeth and fingers
3. Coughing
4. Reduced or loss of taste and smell
5. Reduced appetite
6. Weaker immune systems against colds and flu with longer recoveries

Longer Term Effects of Smoking
1. Lung Cancer: Lung cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer in Canada. Smoking is the single most important preventable cause of lung cancer. Smoking causes genetic changes in the cells of the lung; these changes lead to the development of cancer.

2. Bladder, Pancreatic and Other Forms of Cancer: Research shows that smoking tobacco can lead to respiratory and upper digestive tract cancers, particularly cancer of the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx) and esophagus. Research also indicates that smoking tobacco is a contributing cause of leukemia and cancers of the bladder, stomach, kidney and pancreas. Female smokers are at greater risk for developing cervical cancer.

3. Emphysema and Other respiratory Diseases: The respiratory diseases associated with smoking are often grouped together and referred to as "chronic obstructive pulmonary disease" or "COPD". These diseases include emphysema, chronic bronchitis and asthmatic bronchitis. Smoking is also linked to an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, including coughing, phlegm, wheezing and difficult breathing.

4. Heart Diseases, Strokes and Other Cardiovascular Diseases: Cardiovascular diseases are diseases and injuries of the heart, the blood vessels of the heart, and the system of blood vessels (veins and arteries) throughout the body and brain. Cardiovascular diseases caused by smoking include heart attacks and angina (coronary heart diseases), blockages in the legs (peripheral vascular diseases) and strokes (cerebrovascular diseases).

5. Premature Death: Half of all long-term smokers will eventually be killed by tobacco, and of these, half will die during middle age, losing 20 to 25 years of life. Also, a Canadian dies every 12 minutes of a tobacco related disease.