Health Consequences of Smoking
Heart and blood vessel diseases
• Atherosclerosis (blockage of blood vessels) leading to
- coronary heart disease,
- stroke
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Peripheral vascular disease (may cause gangrene in the legs)
Erectile dysfunction or impotence
Cancer
• Cancers of the bladder, cervix, oesophagus, kidney, larynx, lung, oral cavity and pharynx,pancreas,stomach
• Precancerous lesions: Leucoplakia, erythroplakia of the oral cavity6–8
Respiratory diseases
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: Chronic bronchitis
• Pneumonia, bronchitis and other respiratory infections
• Reduced respiratory function in infants
• Respiratory effects in childhood and adolescence: Decreased physical fitness, potential retardation in the rate of lung growth and the level of maximum lung function among children and adolescents
•
Reproductive effects
• Foetal death and stillbirth: Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)
• Fertility: Delayed conception (primary and secondary infertility)
• Low birth weight: Foetal growth restriction and preterm delivery
• Pregnancy complications: Premature rupture of membranes, abruptio placentae and placenta praevia
Other effects
• Cataract
• Diminished health status, poor surgical outcomes related to wound healing and respiratory
complications
• Low bone density among postmenopausal women, and risk of hip fractures
• Peptic ulcer disease, periodontitis
