Most smokers underestimate the risks, but every cigarette brings cancer and a range of other
diseases closer.
Click on a body part to see how smoking affects everyone in your family.
Ear
Smokers are more likely to suffer from hearing loss than non-smokers. Children are affected too - being
exposed to secondhand smoke increases the risk of hearing loss among children and teens.
Quit
today
Brain
Smoking can cause a stroke where the brain's blood supply is cut off. More than half of all stroke survivors
are left dependent on others for everyday activities. Smoking also puts you at greater risk of dementia due
to problems in blood vessels supplying the brain.
Quit
today
Lungs
Every cigarette damages air sacs, making smokers breathless and increasing the risks of emphysema where
sufferers feel like they're suffocating. Cigarette smoke is full of cancer causing chemicals like arsenic
and tar. As a result, lung cancer is the most common form of cancer caused by smoking.
The earlier you quit, the smaller your risk of dying from lung cancer.
Quit
today
Aged Skin
Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and can damage tissues such as collagen and elastin, causing skin to
appear wrinkled and aged. It's also linked to a range of skin problems, such as psoriasis.
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today
Cot death
Smoking during pregnancy and exposing the child to second hand smoke in its first year of life is a risk
factor for cot death or SID (sudden infant death syndrome).
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today
Child's lungs
Because children have smaller, more delicate lungs, which are still developing, it's more dangerous for
children to breathe in second hand smoke. Children of smokers also have higher rates of asthma, bronchitis
and pneumonia than the children of non-smokers.
Quit
today
Child's ears
Children of smokers are more likely to contract 'glue ear' (a swelling of the ear) which can cause hearing
loss and may lead to speech problems.
Quit
today
Heart and Blood
Smokers are at greater risk of sudden cardiac death than non-smokers. Smoking raises the heart rate and blood
pressure, while at the same time reducing the ability of blood to carry oxygen. Smoking also causes a build
up of dangerous fatty deposits around the walls of blood vessels making it harder for blood to travel around
the body.
Quit
today
Muscles and bones
Smoking gradually decreases your bone density over the course of your life and makes you more likely to have
fractures.
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today
Stomach
As well as increasing your risk of Crohns disease (a chronic inflammatory bowl condition) and increasing
acidity in your stomach and gut, smoking causes cancer of the stomach, pancreas and bowel.
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today
Bladder
Both men and women who smoke are more likely to develop bladder cancer. Men are also more likely to suffer
from problems with getting or maintaining an erection.
Quit
today
Legs, arms and fingers
Smoking can cause a build up of fatty deposits around the walls of blood vessels, making it more difficult
for the heart to pump blood to hands and feet.
In serious cases, this can lead to peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and can result in severe pain. It can
also lead to gangrene and amputation. Quitting reduces your risk of developing PVD, compared to a continuing
smoker.
Quit
today
Eyes
Smoking causes more than one in four cases of macular degeneration (an eye condition that leads to loss of
vision). Clouding of the eye lens also occurs in smokers 10 to 15 years earlier than in non-smokers.
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today
Nose
Smoking causes cancer of the nose and sinuses. It also affects your ability to smell. Once you quit, your
sense of smell will improve.
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today
Cancer
Smoking is by far the biggest preventable cause of cancer in the world, causing cancer all over the body,
including the lungs, mouth, voice box, upper throat, nose and sinuses, oesophagus, liver, pancreas, stomach,
kidney, bladder, cervix and bowel, as well as one type of ovarian cancer and some types of leukaemia.
Quit
today
Heart and Blood
Smokers are at greater risk of sudden cardiac death than non-smokers. Smoking raises the heart rate and blood
pressure, while at the same time reducing the ability of blood to carry oxygen. Smoking also causes a build
up of dangerous fatty deposits around the walls of blood vessels making it harder for blood to travel around
the body.
Quit
today
Breast Feeding
Some of the nicotine and other poisons in cigarettes are passed from a mother who smokes to the baby through
breast milk.
However, it's better than not breastfeeding at all so if you are having trouble quitting, don't smoke just
before or during feeds.
Quit
today
Cancer
Smoking is by far the biggest preventable cause of cancer in the world, causing cancer all over the body,
including the lungs, mouth, voice box, upper throat, nose and sinuses, oesophagus, liver, pancreas, stomach,
kidney, bladder, cervix and bowel, as well as one type of ovarian cancer and some types of leukaemia.
Quit today
Diabetes
Smoking can cause type 2 diabetes, and amongst diabetics increases the risk of serious complications like
heart disease, stroke and circulation problems.
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today
Mouth
Smoking is a major cause of cancers to the neck, mouth, tongue and throat. Surgery may involve removing part
of the palate, tongue, or jaw. But quitting halves the risk of mouth and throat cancer within five
years.
Smoking also reduces the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the gums, making smokers' gums more susceptible
to infection and tooth loss.
Quit
today
Women's health
Female smokers have a list of additional
problems that can include:
- An increased risk of heart attack and stroke if you smoke and take the pill
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
- Missed and more painful periods
- An increased risk of cancer of the cervix and ovary
- A loss of bone density in older women, and an increased risk of hip fractures
- Early menopause
Quit
today
