How Smoking and Nicotine Damage your Body

The lungs bear the brunt of smoking’s assault. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis, is predominantly caused by smoking. Lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death, is also primarily linked to smoking, with smokers being 25 times more likely to develop the disease.

Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It damages blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), which can result in heart attacks and strokes.

Smoking increases the risk of cancer almost everywhere in the body, not only the lungs but also the tongue, throat, oesophagus, bladder, cervix, kidney, liver, pancreas, stomach, and more. Quitting smoking can significantly reduce these risks over time.

Smoking changes the skin, teeth, and hair in ways that can add years to your looks. Smoking acts as a major accelerator of the aging process by causing oxidative stress, damaging collagen and elastin, and shortening telomeres (protective DNA caps). It causes premature wrinkles, saggy skin, and a greyish, dull complexion, making smokers look older. Smoking also triggers early menopause and accelerates age-related illnesses.