The long-term effects

of tobacco use.

By ShareMD Connect

People experience the effects of tobacco use differently. The impact varies based on age, sex, weight, general health, and regularity of use. But despite this, the truth is that no one is risk-free or immune to the damage it causes. 

Forms of tobacco use include: 
  • Cigarettes manufactured or hand-rolled
  • Waterpipe tobacco, aka “hookah” or “shisha”
  • Pipe tobacco
  • Cigars and cigarillos
  • Smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing tobacco, snuff or “dip,” and dissolvables such as sticks, strips, orbs, and lozenges
  • Electronic cigarettes, aka “e-cigs” or “vapes”
General Info on Tobacco Use

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable and early death in the United States. Approximately 480,000 Americans die each year from cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular disease, and stroke, all attributable to smoking.

Despite knowing that cigarettes are highly toxic, smokers’ fatality rates have increased over the past 50 years. Today’s cigarettes are produced with more chemicals than ever before – by some estimates, up to 7,000. At least 250 of these, including hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, carbon monoxide, and arsenic, are carcinogenic.

Cancer

Over time, regular tobacco use causes a buildup of tar in the lungs. This is what gives “smokers’ lungs” their sickly, blackened appearance. This accumulation of tar is a major contributor to lung and throat cancer. In fact, cancer among tobacco users is so prevalent that smoking cigarettes and secondhand smoke exposure causes an estimated nine out of 10 lung cancer deaths.

While lung and throat cancers are the most common cancer types associated with tobacco, smoking also contributes to cancer in other parts of the body. Smokers are at risk for cancer of the blood, bladder, cervix, colon, rectum, esophagus, kidney, renal pelvis, larynx, liver, lungs, trachea bronchus, mouth, throat, pancreas, and stomach.

Respiratory Disease

Smoking also causes damage to the lungs’ airways and small sacs, including the bronchioles and alveoli. This damage inflames and irritates the airways, making it difficult for the lungs to carry oxygen to the rest of the body. Meaning the longer you smoke, the worse the damage, leading to or worsening long-term chronic lung diseases such as COPD, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and asthma, and exacerbating infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis. Smokers with respiratory issues also often experience wheezing, rattling in the chest, shortness of breath, excess mucus, and the tell-tale “smokers’ cough.”

Cardiovascular Disease

Smoking is also a massive contributor to coronary heart disease. In addition to damaging the lungs, smoke also damages the blood vessels, making it difficult to transport oxygen around the body and the heart. Poor blood flow makes it much more likely for smokers to suffer fatal heart attacks and strokes. Tobacco use also increases the risk of high blood pressure, blood clots, peripheral arterial and vascular disease (PAD and PVD), and aortic aneurysms.

Other long-term effects of tobacco use include:
  • Premature aging, like wrinkles and graying hair
  • Yellowing of the eyes and macular degeneration 
  • Tooth decay, discoloration, and bad breath
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Reproductive dysfunction in men (damaged/lowered sperm count) and women (early menopause, irregular periods, trouble becoming pregnant, and increased likelihood of miscarriage)

In conclusion, tobacco use is highly detrimental to your health. If you are struggling to quit and need help, there’s never been a better time to get it. Cessation is not easy, but we are here to help. Reach out and schedule a free call with a ShareMD Nurse Education today to learn more about how to get started.