Smoking kills 500,000 people in the US alone per year, and 16 million people suffer from conditions and illnesses related to smoking. Cigarettes contain 70 chemicals KNOWN to cause cancer.
1. Lung Cancer
Smoking is the #1 cause of lung cancer. Smokers are up to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer. The longer you smoke, the higher your risk.
2. Heart Disease
Heart disease risk is two to four times higher for smokers, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
3. Diabetes
People who smoke are 30 to 40 percent more likely to develop type-2 diabetes than nonsmokers. Smoking makes diabetes harder to control, according to the FDA.
4. Liver Cancer
Smoking increases your risk of developing liver cancer.
5. Erectile Dysfunction
Smoking creates plaque buildup in the arteries and obstructs blood flow, making sexual relations more difficult.
6. Ectopic Pregnancy
Approximately 11 percent of these types of pregnancies can be directly associated to smoking. Learn more at the CDC.
7. Vision Loss
Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and Dry Eye Syndrome.
8. Tuberculosis
Smoking doubles the chance of recurrent tuberculosis in patients previously treated for TB.
9. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Smoking increases your likelihood of developing rheumatoid arthritis, and for those already at risk for developing this disease smoking makes it even higher.
Those who smoke are more likely to die from colorectal cancer.
11. Secondhand Smoke
Second-hand smoke is classified as a carcinogenic agent by the EPA – every year in the US it causes 42,000 heart disease deaths, 3,400 lung cancer deaths, worsening asthma and 150,000-300,000 lower respiratory tract infections.
12. Medical Care
In the US $289 billion dollars is spent on medical care and other economic costs for smokers annually.
13. Shortened Lifespan
Smokers lose more than 10 years off their life expectancy – studies show every cigarette takes 11 minutes off your life.
14. Stroke
Smoking increases plaque buildup and can damage blood vessels in the brain, causing strokes. Secondhand smoke contributes to strokes in nonsmokers.
15. Bladder Cancer
Smoking is risk factor #1 for bladder cancer. Smokers are three times more likely to develop bladder cancer.
16. Cervical Cancer
Cervical cancer risk doubles in women who smoke, and decreases the body’s ability to fight off HPV.
17. Immune System
Smoking depresses antibodies and cells in the body that help fight off invading pathogens.
18. Birth Defects
Smoking during pregnancy increases the likelihood of having a baby with birth defects like cleft palate.
19. Cancer Treatment
Smokers often have more side effects from chemotherapy and radiation. Patients who smoke also have more complications after surgery.
20. Increased Illness
Smoking increases your chances of contracting common illnesses, and symptoms for these illnesses are more severe for smokers.
21. Appearance
Smoking makes your skin look older and more haggard, and discolors teeth and fingernails.
22. Expense
According to the National Cancer Institute, the average cost of a pack of cigarettes is $6.28, which means a pack-a-day habit costs $188 per month or $2,292 per year.
23. Time
Smoking breaks take time away from other activities including work, family and social activities.
24. Smells
Everything in a smoker’s life smells like smoke including their clothing, car and home.
25. Family
Secondhand smoke is dangerous and causes many illnesses and diseases. Quitting will keep your family healthy in the long run.
26. Animal Testing
Animals were used to test the dangers of smoking in the U.S. The animals tested include mice, dogs and monkeys.
27. Better Sleep
Nicotine disrupts sleep – and smoking can also raise the risk of developing sleep conditions, such as sleep apnea.
28. Stronger Bones
Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.
29. Hearing Loss
People who smoke are 70% more likely to suffer from hearing loss.
30. Vacations
England, France, New Zealand and Puerto Rico now ONLY offer smoke-free bars and restaurants.
31. Psoriasis
Smoking can increase the risk of developing psoriasis, and can make psoriasis symptoms worse.
32. Warmer Hands and Feet
Poor circulation is another symptom of smoking, causing cold hands and feet. Your body will feel warmer as circulation returns to normal after quitting smoking.
33. Less Caffeine
Smokers require almost twice the caffeine as nonsmokers. Caffeine levels in nonsmokers lasted for 6 hours but levels in smokers only lasted for 3.5 hours according to a study.
34. Oral Contraceptives
Smoking while taking some forms of contraceptives increases a woman’s risk of cardiovascular side effects. Women who smoke may experience abdominal pain as well as yellowing of the eyes and skin.
35. Crohn’s Disease
Smokers have a higher risk of developing Crohn’s Disease, and smokers with Crohn’s will have more severe complications and a higher risk of surgery.
36. Acid Reflux
Smoking can cause more frequent heartburn and acid reflux.
37. Healthier Diet
Smokers tend to eat foods with more saturated fat and cholesterol and consume more alcohol. They also tend to have inadequate fiber, vitamin C or vitamin E in their diets.
38. Smoke Stains
Nicotine and tar from cigarettes leave ugly, hard to remove stains on the walls of a smoker’s home.
39. Hair
Smoking can cause premature baldness and earlier graying.
40. Pets
Secondhand smoke has been shown to cause oral cancer and lymphoma in cats, lung and nasal cancer in dogs, and lung cancer in birds.
41. Life Insurance
Life insurance rates are 20-30% lower for nonsmokers.
42. Wound Healing
Smoking causes wounds to heal slower because it reduces the blood flow to the skin.
43. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Infants who are exposed to secondhand smoke after birth are at increased risk for SIDS.
44. Menopause
Female smokers experience more hot flashes during menopause. Research has linked early menopause and more severe symptoms to smoking.
45. Male Fertility
Smoking damages sperm, making them less able to fertilize an egg.
46. Relationships
Many dating site polls discovered that a majority of their site’s users would not date smoker.
47. Dementia
Smoking is a significant risk factor for vascular dementia.
48. Female Fertility
Female smokers have twice the rate of infertility as nonsmokers, and the infertility rate increases with the number of cigarettes smoked daily.
49. Alzheimer’s Disease
The mental decline in elderly smokers is five times faster than nonsmokers. Research has shown tobacco can accelerate the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
50. Lupus
Studies have shown that smoking increases the risk of developing lupus.
