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Risks of tobacco

Secondhand smoke - risks; Cigarette smoking - risks; Smoking and smokeless tobacco - risks; Nicotine - risks

 

Information

Tobacco is a plant. Its leaves are smoked, chewed, or sniffed for a variety of effects.

  • Tobacco contains the chemical nicotine, which is an addictive substance.
  • Tobacco smoke contains more than 7000 chemicals, 69 of which are known to cause cancer.
  • Tobacco that is not burned is called smokeless tobacco. Including nicotine, there are 29 chemicals in smokeless tobacco that are known to cause cancer.

HEALTH RISKS OF SMOKING OR USING SMOKELESS TOBACCO

Knowing the serious health risks of using tobacco may help motivate you to quit. Using tobacco over a long time can increase your risk of many health problems.

Heart and blood vessel problems:

  • Blood clots and weakness in the walls of blood vessels in the brain, which can lead to stroke
  • Blood clots in the legs , which may travel to the lungs
  • Coronary artery disease , including angina and heart attacks
  • Temporarily increased blood pressure after smoking
  • Poor blood supply to the legs
  • Problems with erections because of decreased blood flow into the penis

Other health risks or problems:

  • Cancer (more likely in the lung, mouth, larynx, nose and sinuses, throat, esophagus, stomach, bladder, kidney, pancreas, cervix, colon, and rectum)
  • Poor wound healing after surgery
  • Lung problems, such as COPD or asthma that is harder to control
  • Problems during pregnancy, such as babies born at a low birth weight, early labor , losing your baby, and cleft lip
  • Decreased ability to taste and smell
  • Harm to sperm, which may lead to infertility
  • Loss of sight due to an increased risk of macular degeneration
  • Tooth and gum diseases
  • Wrinkling of the skin

Smokers who switch to smokeless tobacco instead of quitting tobacco still have health risks:

  • Increased risk of mouth or nasal cancer
  • Gum problems, tooth wear, and cavities
  • Worsening high blood pressure and angina

HEALTH RISKS OF SECONDHAND SMOKE

Those who are often around the smoke of others (secondhand smoke) have a higher risk of:

  • Heart attack and heart disease
  • Lung cancer
  • Sudden and severe reactions, including of the eye, nose, throat, and lower respiratory tract

Infants and children who are often exposed to secondhand smoke are at risk of:

  • Asthma flares (children with asthma who live with a smoker are much more likely to visit the emergency room)
  • Infections of the mouth, throat, sinuses, ears, and lungs
  • Lung damage (poor lung function)
  • Sudden infant death syndrome ( SIDS )

Like any addiction, quitting tobacco is difficult, especially if you are doing it alone.

  • Seek support from family members, friends, and coworkers.
  • Talk to your health care provider about nicotine replacement therapy and smoking cessation medicines .
  • Join a smoking cessation program and you will have a much better chance of success. Such programs are offered by hospitals, health departments, community centers, and work sites.

 

Open References

References

Benowitz NL, Brunetta PG. Smoking hazards and cessation. In: Broaddus VC, Mason RJ, Ernst JD, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine . 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 46.

Rakel RE, Houston T. Nicotine addiction. In: Rakel RE, Rakel DP, eds. Textbook of Family Medicine . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 49.

Siu AL; U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Behavioral and pharmacotherapy interventions for tobacco smoking cessation in adults, including pregnant women: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement. Ann Intern Med . 2015;163(8):622-634. PMID: 26389730 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26389730 .

 
  • Tobacco and vascular disease

    Tobacco and vascular disease - illustration

    Tobacco use and exposure may cause an acceleration of coronary artery disease and peptic ulcer disease. It is also linked to reproductive disturbances, esophageal reflux, hypertension, fetal illness and death, and delayed wound healing.

    Tobacco and vascular disease

    illustration

  • Tobacco and chemicals

    Tobacco and chemicals - illustration

    Some of the chemicals associated with tobacco smoke include ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, propane, methane, acetone, hydrogen cyanide and various carcinogens. Other chemicals that are associated with chewing or sniffing tobacco include aniline, naphthalene, phenol, pyrene, tar, and 2-naphthylamine.

    Tobacco and chemicals

    illustration

  • Tobacco and cancer

    Tobacco and cancer - illustration

    Tobacco and its various components increase the risk of several types of cancer especially cancer of the lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix. Smoking also increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chronic lung disease.

    Tobacco and cancer

    illustration

  • Tobacco health risks

    Tobacco health risks - illustration

    In general, chronic exposure to nicotine may cause an acceleration of coronary artery disease, peptic ulcer disease, reproductive disturbances, esophageal reflux, elevated blood pressure, fetal illnesses and death, and delayed wound healing.

    Tobacco health risks

    illustration

  • Secondhand smoke and lung cancer

    Secondhand smoke and lung cancer - illustration

    Secondhand smoke has been classified as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).

    Secondhand smoke and lung cancer

    illustration

  • Respiratory cilia

    Respiratory cilia - illustration

    The bronchus in the lungs are lined with hair-like projections called cilia that move microbes and debris up and out of the airways.  Scattered throughout the cilia are goblet cells that secrete mucus which helps protect the lining of the bronchus and trap microorganisms.

    Respiratory cilia

    illustration

    • Tobacco and vascular disease

      Tobacco and vascular disease - illustration

      Tobacco use and exposure may cause an acceleration of coronary artery disease and peptic ulcer disease. It is also linked to reproductive disturbances, esophageal reflux, hypertension, fetal illness and death, and delayed wound healing.

      Tobacco and vascular disease

      illustration

    • Tobacco and chemicals

      Tobacco and chemicals - illustration

      Some of the chemicals associated with tobacco smoke include ammonia, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, propane, methane, acetone, hydrogen cyanide and various carcinogens. Other chemicals that are associated with chewing or sniffing tobacco include aniline, naphthalene, phenol, pyrene, tar, and 2-naphthylamine.

      Tobacco and chemicals

      illustration

    • Tobacco and cancer

      Tobacco and cancer - illustration

      Tobacco and its various components increase the risk of several types of cancer especially cancer of the lung, mouth, larynx, esophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, and cervix. Smoking also increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes and chronic lung disease.

      Tobacco and cancer

      illustration

    • Tobacco health risks

      Tobacco health risks - illustration

      In general, chronic exposure to nicotine may cause an acceleration of coronary artery disease, peptic ulcer disease, reproductive disturbances, esophageal reflux, elevated blood pressure, fetal illnesses and death, and delayed wound healing.

      Tobacco health risks

      illustration

    • Secondhand smoke and lung cancer

      Secondhand smoke and lung cancer - illustration

      Secondhand smoke has been classified as a known cause of lung cancer in humans (Group A carcinogen).

      Secondhand smoke and lung cancer

      illustration

    • Respiratory cilia

      Respiratory cilia - illustration

      The bronchus in the lungs are lined with hair-like projections called cilia that move microbes and debris up and out of the airways.  Scattered throughout the cilia are goblet cells that secrete mucus which helps protect the lining of the bronchus and trap microorganisms.

      Respiratory cilia

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

        Tests for Risks of tobacco

         
           

          Review Date: 8/29/2015

          Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Internal review and update on 09/01/2016 by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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