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Health effects on individual smokers
Unless they quit, up to half of all smokers will die from their
smoking, most of them before their 70th birthday and only after
years of suffering a reduced quality of life.
Furthermore, the average smoker will die about eight years earlier
than a similar non-smoker. Life expectancy improves after a smoker
quits.
There is also strong scientific evidence that smoking is related
to more than two dozen diseases and conditions. Fortunately, most
of these start to reverse after a smoker quits smoking. In fact,
the benefits of quitting may begin in a matter of hours.
All smokers are at extra risk for:
* Coronary heart disease (for example, heart attacks);
* Peripheral vascular disease (circulatory problems);
* Aortic aneurysm;
* High blood pressure;
* High cholesterol (LDL);
* Lung cancer;
* Cancer of the mouth, throat and voice box;
* Cancer of the pancreas;
* Cancer of the kidney, and urinary bladder;
* Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
* Chronic bronchitis;
* Emphysema;
* Pneumonia;
* Influenza (the "flu");
* The common cold;
* Peptic ulcers;
* Chronic bowel disease (Crohn's Disease);
* Tooth decay (cavities);
* Gum disease;
* Osteoporosis;
* Sleep problems (falling asleep inappropriately and/or frequent
waking);
* Cataracts; and
* Thyroid disease (Grave's Disease).
Female smokers are at an extra risk for:
* Cancer of the cervix (womb);
* Menstrual problems;
* Fertility problems; and
* Spontaneous abortion (miscarriage).
Male smokers have an extra risk of:
* Erectile dysfunction (impotence); and
* Fertility problems (problems with sperm).
There is some scientific evidence that smoking may also be related
to cancer of the large intestine and leukemia.
In addition to various diseases, smoking also causes the skin to
wrinkle and create the appearance of premature aging. Smoking also
reduces the sense of smell and taste.
How harmful are cigars and pipes?
Cigar and pipe smokers experience the same types of health
problems as cigarette smokers.
What about other types of tobacco?
Smoking isn't the only type of tobacco that causes health
problems. Smokeless tobacco, including chewing tobacco and snuff,
contain many of the same harmful and addictive substances as
cigarettes, pipes and cigars. Smokeless tobacco is a major cause
of cancer of the mouth and throat. It can also cause serious
dental health problems including recession of the gums, tooth loss
and discolouration of the teeth and gums.
in association with the MediResource Clinical Team
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