| Smoking negatively affects every part of your body:
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| Heart |
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Smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease among middle-aged
men and women.
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Smoking is accountable for 81% of all chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) deaths.
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21% of all coronary heart disease deaths are attributable to smoking
(more than 170,000 deaths each year).
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| Lungs |
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Is responsible for 87% of lung cancer cases, (100,000 deaths each year).
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Can cause chronic coughing, increased phlegm, emphysema and bronchitis.
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| Cancers |
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Deaths from lung cancer in women have exceeded breast cancer deaths.
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Smoking is a known cause of cancer of the larynx, oral cavity and esophagus.
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Smoking is a contributing cause of cancers of the bladder, pancreas,
uterus, cervix, kidney and stomach.
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| Brain |
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The risk of stroke is nearly doubled by smoking.
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Smoking is linked to a higher incidence of depression.
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| Bones and Skin |
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Smoking is associated with the progression of atherosclerosis and hypertension.
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Smoking increases the risk and severity of rheumatoid arthritis.
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Smoking reduces the elasticity in the skin, which causes more prominent
skin wrinkling.
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| Ears, Eyes, Nose, Throat
and Mouth |
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Smoking is linked to hearing loss and vision problems, including cataracts.
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Smoking increases yellowing of the nails and teeth.
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Smoking is linked to gum disease and tooth loss.
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| Immune System |
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Smoking creates more susceptibility to influenza, pneumonia, and colds.
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Smoking tends to lengthen the recovery time after surgery.
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| Reproduction |
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Smoking may reduce fertility and lead to impotence among men.
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| Source: Centers for Disease Control,
2002. |