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Health Harms
- Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death in the U.S.
- Smoking is responsible for 87% of lung cancer cases.
- Smoking can cause the following types of cancers: cancer of the lung, larynx, oral cavity esophagus, bladder, pancreas, uterus, cervix, kidney and stomach.
- Smoking is a known cause of respiratory disease, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Other health harms include: Tooth decay, cardiovascular disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke,
reduced fertility or impotence in men, rheumatoid arthritis, hearing loss and vision problems, cataracts, chronic coughing,
recurring bouts of flu, heart burn, ulcers, acid reflux, and vitamin deficiencies.
Impacts of smoking among pregnant women: Increased chance for spontaneous abortion, stillbirth, and Sudden Infant Death
Syndrome.
Short term impacts of smoking: Possible impacts include increased heart rate and blood pressure, increased feelings of
stress, tightened airways, increased phlegm production, persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing or gasping, poor
physical performance or endurance, impaired blood flow to brain, heart and other organs, increased levels of bad fats,
increased reflux, weakened immune system and others.
Tobacco use and appearance: Smoking has been linked with facial wrinkling. Smokers are significantly more likely to have
prominent face wrinkling than non smokers.
Source: Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids