Health Hazards with smoking
Worldwide, smoking tobacco has been identified as a preventable but leading cause of illnesses and death. Approximately, half of all the cancers in men and about one-fourth of all the cancers in women are related to the use of tobacco. Each year, about 8.3 million cases of heart disorders and lung diseases are reported due to the use of tobacco. Although these figures are alarming, the consumption of tobacco has been increasing at about 2–3% every year and it has been projected that by the year 2020, 13% of deaths will be due to smoking of tobacco.1 Hence, stop smoking now to be out of that 13%.
Some of the ill effects of smoking include the following:
- Formation of blood clots in the major blood vessels of the brain
- Cancer of the lung, mouth, throat and other numerous organs
- Heart disorders
- Diminished ability to taste and smell
- High blood pressure
- Respiratory disorders including asthma
- Problems during pregnancy
- Diseases affecting the teeth and gums2
There is strong evidence that smoking negatively impacts virtually all facets of fertility. Studies have illustrated that when a pregnant woman smokes, the future fertility of the foetus (male or female) is also put in jeopardy. Men’s smoking can be associated with minor reductions in sperm count/morphology. There is also evidence that smoking induces DNA damage in sperm.3
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: November 25, 2009
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