Smoking

Major diseases caused by smoking

Cardiovascular disease

Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death due to smoking.

Cancer

Smokers are more likely to get cancer than non-smokers. This is particularly true of lung cancer, throat cancer and mouth cancer, which hardly ever affect non-smokers.

Other types of cancer that are more common in smokers are:

• bladder cancer
• cancer of the oesophagus
• cancer of the kidneys
• cancer of the pancreas
• cervical cancer

COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collective term for a group of conditions that block airflow and make breathing more difficult, such as:

• 
  Smoking is the most common cause ofCOPD and is responsible for 80 per cent of cases.emphysema – breathlessness caused by damage to the air sacs (alveoli)
• chronic bronchitis – coughing with a lot of mucus that continues for at least three months.

Smoking is the most common cause of COPD and is responsible for 80 per cent of cases.

Other risks caused by smoking

•  blood pressure
• fertility problems
• The blood vessels in the eye are sensitive and can be easily damaged by smoke, causing a bloodshot appearance and itchiness.
• ulcers.
• Smoking also affects your looks: smokers have paler skin and more wrinkles. This is because smoking reduces the blood supply to the skin and lowers levels of vitamin A.
• Smoking increases your risk of periodontal disease, which causes swollen gums, bad breath and teeth to fall out.
• Smoking also affects your looks: smokers have paler skin and more wrinkles. This is because smoking reduces the blood supply to the skin and lowers levels of vitamin A.
• Smoking increases your risk of periodontal disease, which causes swollen gums, bad breath and teeth to fall out.
• Smoking stains your teeth and gums.
• Smokers take 25 per cent more sick days year than non-smokers.
• Smokers run an increased risk of cataracts.
• Heavy smokers are twice as likely to get macular degeneration, resulting in the gradual loss of eyesight.