Effects on the Body

Cigarette smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, and is the leading preventable cause of premature death in the United States.

Although rates of smoking have declined, it is estimated that it leads to about 480,000 deaths yearly. Smokers aged 60 and older have a twofold increase in mortality compared with those who have never smoked, dying an estimated 6 years earlier. Quitting smoking results in immediate health benefits, and some or all of the reduced life expectancy can be recovered depending on the age a person quits.

Cancer

Although nicotine itself does not cause cancer, at least 69 chemicals in tobacco smoke are carcinogenic, and cigarette smoking accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths. The overall rates of death from cancer are twice as high among smokers as nonsmokers, with heavy smokers having a four times greater risk of death from cancer than nonsmokers.

Foremost among the cancers caused by tobacco use is lung cancer. Cigarette smoking has been linked to about 80 to 90% of all cases of lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death for both men and women, and it is responsible for roughly 80% of deaths from this disease. Smoking increases lung cancer risk five to tenfold, with greater risk among heavy smokers.

Cigarette smoking is also associated with cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, and bladder, as well as acute myeloid.

Smokeless tobacco has been linked to cancer of the pharynx, esophagus, stomach, and lung, as well as to colorectal cancer.

Lung Disease & Lung Damage

Smoking causes lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and it has been found to exacerbate asthma symptoms in adults and children. Cigarette smoking is the most significant risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). After quitting smoking, much of the smoking-induced lung damage is repaired over time. However, once COPD develops, it is irreversible; COPD-related lung damage is not repaired with time.

Research also suggests that e-cigarette vapor exposure may be linked with impaired lung function. One study found that 39 of the 51 e-cigarette flavorings they tested contained diacetyl, a chemical associated with an irreversible obstructive lung disease called bronchiolitis obliterans. Many flavorings also contain other chemicals associated with severe respiratory diseases.

Heart Disease

Smoking also substantially increases the risk of heart disease, including stroke, heart attack, vascular disease, and aneurysm. Cardiovascular disease is responsible for 40% of all smoking-related deaths. Smoking causes coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.

Other Conditions

Smoking is linked to many other major health conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation, and impaired immune function. Recent animal research has also identified a potential link between cigarette smoking and the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes.