What are Health Risks of Smoking

Smoking cigarettes is very bad for your health. Tobacco smoke has over 200 known poisons in it. It contains the poisonous gases nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide. There are over 60 chemicals in tobacco smoke that cause cancer.

Smoking is difficult to quit because a chemical in tobacco, called nicotine, causes addiction or dependence. When you smoke and inhale, nicotine is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream through your lungs. Both inhaled and non-inhaled nicotine may be addictive.

What are the risks of cigarette smoke?

Cigarette smokers have an increased risk of many serious medical problems, including:

Because of secondhand smoke exposure, children of smokers have an increased risk of the following:

What are the benefits of quitting?

There are many health benefits of quitting smoking. Here are some of them:

How do I quit smoking?

Smoking is an addiction with both physical and psychological effects, and longtime habits can be hard to change. Your health care provider can recommend:

Where to find more information

• American Lung Association: www.lung.org  
• American Cancer Society: www.cancer.org  

Summary

• Smoking cigarettes is very bad for your health. Cigarette smokers have an increased risk of many serious medical problems, including several cancers, heart disease, and stroke.
• Smoking is an addiction with both physical and psychological effects, and longtime habits can be hard to change.
• By stopping right away, you can greatly reduce the risk of medical problems for you and your family.
• To help you quit smoking, your health care provider can recommend programs, community resources, prescription medicines, and nicotine replacement products such as patches, gum, and nasal sprays.