Harmful Effects of Smoking

Overview

This lecture explains the harmful effects of smoking and tobacco use on the body, detailing the diseases and complications it causes.

Cigarettes are made from tobacco leaves containing nicotine and many harmful compounds.
Burning tobacco releases thousands of chemicals, over 40 of which cause cancer (carcinogens).
Cigarette smoke contains poisonous gases like carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide, and radioactive particles.
All forms of tobacco (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco) are dangerous.

Nicotine is an addictive chemical that enters the brain and creates pleasurable sensations.
Repeated nicotine exposure causes desensitization, leading to dependence and cravings.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death, responsible for 1 in 5 U.S. deaths.
Major health risks include heart disease, heart attack, stroke, lung cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Nicotine stimulates adrenaline release, which raises blood pressure.
Nicotine and carbon monoxide damage artery walls, leading to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis).
Atherosclerosis can cause coronary artery disease, increasing risk of heart attacks.
Smoking promotes blood clots and increases risk of peripheral vascular disease and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Smoking damages bronchial tubes (airways) and alveoli (air sacs).
Cigarette smoke irritates the airways, causing swelling, mucus, and slowed cilia, leading to "smoker's cough."
Chronic bronchitis develops as cilia stop working, causing clogged airways and difficulty breathing.
Damage to alveoli reduces oxygen exchange, leading to emphysema.
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are collectively called COPD.
COPD is a progressive, incurable loss of breathing ability.

Carcinogens in smoke (e.g., cyanide, formaldehyde, benzene, ammonia) damage cell DNA.
Damaged DNA causes abnormal cell growth and cancer.
Lung cancer is the most common cancer globally, with over a million cases annually.
Smoking increases cancer risk in many organs, including mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, and cervix.

Smoking can cause infertility in both men and women.
Smoking during pregnancy increases risks of low birth weight, miscarriage, pre-term delivery, stillbirth, infant death, and SIDS.
Nicotine passes through breast milk, harming breastfeeding infants.
Other effects include low bone density, higher risk of hip fracture (women), gum disease, immune dysfunction, delayed healing, and male impotence.

Carcinogen — a substance capable of causing cancer in living tissue.
Nicotine — an addictive chemical found in tobacco.
COPD — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, a group of lung conditions including chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Atherosclerosis — hardening and narrowing of the arteries due to plaque buildup.
Alveoli — tiny air sacs in the lungs where gas exchange occurs.
Cilia — hair-like projections lining the airways that help clear mucus and debris.

Learn more about lung cancer screening at the provided link.
Review the risks of tobacco use and share information to promote smoking cessation.