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Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco smoke that causes people who smoke to continue to smoke. Along with nicotine, people who smoke inhale about 7,000 other chemicals in cigarette smoke. Many of these chemicals come from burning tobacco leaf.

Some of these compounds are chemically active and trigger profound and damaging changes in the body. Tobacco smoke contains over 70 known cancer-causing chemicals. Smoking harms nearly every organ in the body, causing many diseases and reducing health in general.

Highly damaging components of tobacco smoke include:

  • is the word for the solid particles suspended in tobacco smoke. The particles contain chemicals
  • including cancer-causing substances (carcinogens). Tar is sticky
  • stains teeth fingernails lung tissue – is a poisonous gas

It is odourless and colourless and, in large doses, quickly causes death because it takes the place of oxygen in the blood. In people who smoke, the carbon monoxide in their blood makes it harder for oxygen to get to their organs and muscles – are highly reactive chemicals that can damage the heart muscles and blood vessels of people who smoke.

They react with cholesterol, leading to the build-up of fatty material on artery walls.

Their actions lead to heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease – tobacco smoke contains several metals that cause cancer, including arsenic, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, lead and nickel – tobacco smoke contains radioactive compounds that are known to be carcinogenic.

Inhaling tobacco smoke causes damage to many of the body’s organs and systems

The effects of tobacco smoke on the respiratory system include:

  • reduced lung function breathlessness due to swelling narrowing of the lung airways
  • excess mucus in the lung passages impairment of the lungs’ clearance system
  • leading to the build-up of poisonous substances
  • which results in lung irritation
  • damage permanent damage to the air sacs of the lungs

The effects of tobacco smoke on the circulatory system include:

  • damage to the lining of the arteries
  • which is thought to be a contributing factor to atherosclerosis (the build-up of fatty deposits on the artery walls) increased risk of stroke
  • heart attack due to blockages of the blood supply. The effects of tobacco smoke on the immune system include
  • lower levels of protective antioxidants (such as vitamin C)
  • in the blood

The effects of tobacco smoke on the musculoskeletal system include: reduced bone density.

The effects of tobacco smoke on the male body include an increased risk for: impotence, which may be due to the effects of smoking on blood flow and damage to the blood vessels of the penis. The effects of tobacco smoke on the female body include:

  • greatly increased risk of stroke
  • heart attack if the person who smokes is aged over 35 years
  • taking the oral contraceptive pill

Other effects of tobacco smoke on the body include: gum disease (periodontitis).

The effects of maternal smoking on an unborn baby include:

  • low birth weight which may have a lasting effect of the growth development of children. Low birth weight is associated with an increased risk of heart disease
  • high blood pressure
  • diabetes in adulthood increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Passive smoking (exposure of the non-smoking mother to second-hand smoke) can also harm the fetus.

If a parent continues to smoke during their baby’s first year of life, the child has an increased risk of ear infections, respiratory illnesses such as pneumonia and bronchitis, and meningococcal disease. A person who smokes throughout their life is at high risk of developing a range of potentially lethal diseases, including: cancer of the lung, mouth, nose, larynx, tongue, nasal sinus, oesophagus, throat, pancreas, bone marrow (myeloid leukaemia), kidney, cervix, ovary, ureter, liver, bladder, bowel and stomach lung diseases such as chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which includes obstructive bronchiolitis and emphysema poor blood circulation in feet and hands, which can lead to pain and, in severe cases, gangrene and amputation rheumatoid arthritis.

Dangerous chemicals in tobacco smoke tar carbon monoxide oxidizing chemicals metals radioactive compounds Effects of smoking tobacco on the body Effects of smoking on the respiratory system irritation of the trachea (windpipe) and larynx (voice box) increased risk of lung infection and symptoms such as coughing and wheezing Effects of smoking on the circulatory system raised blood pressure and heart rate constriction (tightening) of blood vessels in the skin, resulting in a drop in skin temperature less oxygen carried by the blood during exercise ‘stickier’ blood, which is more prone to clotting reduced blood flow to extremities (fingers and toes) Effects of smoking on the immune system greater susceptibility to infections such as pneumonia and influenza more severe and longer-lasting illnesses Effects of smoking on the musculoskeletal system tightening of certain muscles Effects of smoking on the sexual organs lower sperm count higher percentage of deformed sperm genetic damage to sperm reduced fertility, menstrual cycle irregularities, or absence of menstruation menopause reached one or two years earlier increased risk of cancer of the cervix Other effects of smoking on the body irritation and inflammation of the stomach and intestines increased risk of painful ulcers along the digestive tract reduced ability to smell and taste premature wrinkling of the skin higher risk of blindness Effects of smoking on babies increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth weaker lungs increased risk of cleft palate and cleft lip sudden unexpected death in infancy (SUDI) Diseases caused by long-term smoking heart disease and stroke ulcers of the digestive system osteoporosis and hip fracture type 2 diabetes Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your pharmacist Quitline Tel.

13 QUIT ( 13 7848 ).

Key Points

  • Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco smoke that causes people who smoke to continue to smoke
  • odourless and colourless and, in large doses, quickly causes death because it takes the place of oxygen in the blood
  • Inhaling tobacco smoke causes damage to many of the body’s organs and systems