13 effects of smoking cigarettes Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe 13 ways smoking affects the bodyMedically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — By Danielle Dresden and Hana Ames — Updated on July 28, 2022Smoking cigarettes can have many adverse effects on the body. Some of these can lead to life threatening complications. Smoking increases a person’s risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and more. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking harms almost all organs in the body and causes many diseases. It reduces the health of smokers in general. Smoking cigarettes affects the respiratory system, the circulatory system, the reproductive system, the skin, and the eyes, and it increases the risk of many cancers. This article looks at 13 possible effects of smoking cigarettes. A note about sex and gender Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms, “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more. Lung damage Share on PinterestFranz Marc Frei/Getty ImagesSmoking cigarettes damages the lungs because a person inhales nicotine, among other chemicals. Cigarettes are responsible for a substantial increase in the risk of developing lung cancer. This risk is 25 times greater for men and 25.7 times for women. The CDC reports that roughly 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths are linked to smoking. Smoking cigarettes also presents a greater risk of developing and dying from chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD). The American Lung Association report that smoking causes 80% of COPD deaths. Cigarettes also relate to developing emphysema and chronic bronchitis. They can also trigger or exacerbate an asthma attack. Heart disease Smoking cigarettes can damage the heart, blood vessels, and blood cells. The chemicals and tar in cigarettes can increase a person’s risk of atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque in the blood vessels. This buildup limits blood flow and can lead to dangerous blockages. Smoking also increases the risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs when the arteries to the arms and legs start to narrow, restricting blood flow. Research shows a direct link between smoking and developing PAD — even those who used to smoke face a higher risk than people who never smoked. Having PAD increases the risk of:blood clotsangina, or chest painstrokeheart attack Fertility problems Share on PinterestImage credit: Stephen Kelly, 2019.Smoking cigarettes can damage a female’s reproductive system and make it more difficult to get pregnant. This may be because tobacco and the other chemicals in cigarettes affect hormone levels. In males, the risk of erectile dysfunction increases the more they smoke and the length of time they smoke for. Smoking can also affect the quality of the sperm and therefore reduce fertility. Risk of pregnancy complications According to the CDC, smoking can affect pregnancy and the developing fetus in several ways, including:increasing the risk of ectopic pregnancyreducing the baby’s birth weightincreasing the risk of preterm deliverydamaging the fetus’s lungs, brain, and central nervous systemincreasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)contributing to congenital abnormalities, such as cleft lip and cleft palate Risk of type 2 diabetes The CDC report that people who smoke regularly have a 30–40% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes than those who do not. Smoking can also make it more difficult for people with diabetes to manage their condition. Weakened immune system Smoking cigarettes can weaken a person’s immune system, making them more susceptible to illness. It can also cause additional inflammation in the body. Vision problems Smoking cigarettes can cause eye problems, including a greater risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Other vision problems related to smoking include:dry eyesglaucomadiabetic retinopathy Poor oral hygiene People who smoke have double the risk of gum disease. This risk increases with the number of cigarettes a person smokes. Symptoms of gum disease include:swollen and tender gumsbleeding when brushingloose teethsensitive teeth Smoking tobacco can limit a person’s ability to taste and smell things properly. It can also stain the teeth yellow or brown. Integumentary system The integumentary system consists of a person’s skin, hair, and nails. Smoking tobacco can affect a person’s skin and hair. A person who smokes may experience prematurely aged, wrinkled skin. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, some of the long-term effects of smoking include:baggy eyesdeeper facial wrinklesdry skinfurrowssaggy jawlineuneven skin pigmentation People who smoke also have a higher risk of skin cancer, particularly on the lips. Smoking can cause the hair and skin to smell like tobacco. It can contribute to hair loss and balding. It can also cause discoloration of the nails, causing them to become yellowed or brown. Risk of other cancers In addition to the well-documented link with lung cancer, smoking cigarettes contributes to other cancers. The American Cancer Society report that cigarette smoking causes 20–30% of pancreatic cancers. People who smoke are also three times as likely to develop bladder cancer than people who do not. Smoking cigarettes can also double a person’s risk of stomach cancer. Research links tobacco to cancer in the upper part of the stomach, near the esophagus. This is known as esophageal cancer. Cigarettes can also increase the risk of:mouth cancerlaryngeal cancerthroat cancerkidney cancercervical cancerliver cancercolon canceracute myeloid leukemia Digestive system Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for a person developing intestinal disorders. Smokers are more likely to develop gastritis — inflammation in the stomach lining — than non-smokers, which can lead to ulcers in their stomachs or intestines. Smoking may also cause delayed emptying of the stomach and slowed peristalsis. Central nervous system The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal cord, which control all physical and mental activities. A smoker’s central nervous system becomes damaged because nicotine causes an increase in blood pressure and heart rate, which causes these organs to weaken over time. According to a 2021 study, smoking tobacco and nicotine seriously impacts neurological health. The study reports that smoking is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis. Secondhand smoke The ill effects of smoking cigarettes do not only affect people who smoke. Secondhand smoke can also significantly affect family members, friends, children, and coworkers. Secondhand smoke causes lung cancer. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), evidence has also linked secondhand smoke to other cancers, including throat and breast cancer. Children whose parents smoke get sick more often, have more lung infections and are more likely to have shortness of breath. If a fetus or baby is exposed to secondhand smoke, they may be at risk of childhood cancers such as:leukemiabrain tumorslymphoma Quitting smoking While quitting smoking can be challenging, the CDC reports that today, more people used to smoke than people who currently smoke. Once a person stops smoking, the benefits start accumulating. These include clearer skin, improved oral health, more stable hormones, a stronger immune system, and a reduced risk of many types of cancers. Some other benefits of quitting smoking include:After 20 minutes–12 hours: Heart rate and carbon monoxide in the blood drop to normal levels.After 1 year: The risk of a heart attack is much lower, as is blood pressure. Coughing and upper respiratory problems begin to improve.After 2–5 years: The risk of stroke drops to that of someone who does not smoke, according to the CDC.After 5–15 years: The risk of mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancer is reduced by half.After 10 years: The risk of lung and bladder cancer is half that of someone who currently smokes.After 15 years: The risk of heart disease is similar to that of someone who never smoked. Nicotine is an addictive drug and can cause withdrawal symptoms when a person stops using it. These symptoms include cravings, increased appetite, and irritability. Cravings and other effects typically subside over time. A doctor or other healthcare professional can help a person take positive steps toward quitting smoking. Read about some simple steps to quit smoking here. Summary Smoking cigarettes harms a person’s health and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and different types of cancer. Other effects of smoking include fertility problems, poor oral hygiene, skin problems, and an increased risk of neurological disorders. Quitting smoking reduces the risk of health problems such as stroke and heart disease and improves a person’s overall health. Last medically reviewed on July 28, 2022Lung CancerRespiratoryCardiovascular / CardiologySmoking / Quit Smoking 25 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.Basal and squamous cell skin cancer risk factors. (2019).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/basal-and-squamous-cell-skin-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htmlBenefits of quitting. (2020).https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/i-want-to-quit/benefits-of-quitting.htmlBenefits of quitting. (n.d.).https://smokefree.gov/quit-smoking/why-you-should-quit/benefits-of-quittingBerkowitz, L., et al. (2018). Impact of cigarette smoking on the gastrointestinal tract inflammation: opposing effects in Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5797634/Bladder cancer risk factors. (2019).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/bladder-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htmlBonnie, R. J., et al. (2015). Public health implications of raising the minimum age of legal access to tobacco products.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK310413/Clark III, D., et al. (2019). Cigarette smoking and subclinical peripheral arterial disease in blacks of the Jackson heart study.https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/JAHA.118.010674Gui, X., et al. (2021). Effect of cigarette smoke on gut microbiota: State of knowledge.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2021.673341/fullHajdusianek, W., et al. (2021). Tobacco and nervous system development and function-new findings 2015–2020.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8234722/Health effects of cigarette smoking. (2021).https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/health_effects/effects_cig_smoking/index.htmHealth effects of smoking. (2020).https://www.lung.org/stop-smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects-of-smoking.htmlHealth effects of smoking. (2020).https://www.lung.org/quit-smoking/smoking-facts/health-effects/smokingHealth risks of secondhand smoke. (2020).https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/health-risks-of-tobacco/secondhand-smoke.htmlHealth risks of smoking tobacco. (2020).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancer-causes/tobacco-and-cancer/health-risks-of-smoking-tobacco.htmlPancreatic cancer risk factors. (2020).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/pancreatic-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htmlQuitting smoking. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting/index.htmSmoking. (2019).https://medlineplus.gov/smoking.htmlSmoking and overall health. (n.d.).https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/50th-anniversary/pdfs/fs_smoking_overall_health_508.pdfSmoking and your heart. (n.d.).https://www.heartfoundation.org.au/your-heart/know-your-risks/smoking-and-your-heartSmoking and your heart. (2022).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/smoking-and-your-heartSmoking, gum disease, and tooth loss. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/periodontal-gum-disease.htmlStomach cancer risk factors. (2021).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/stomach-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htmlSmoking causes emphysema. (2020).http://www.quitnow.gov.au/internet/quitnow/publishing.nsf/content/warnings-emphysemaVision loss, blindness, and smoking. (2022).https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/vision-loss-blindness.htmlWhat are the risk factors for cervical cancer? (2020).https://www.cancer.org/cancer/cervical-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.htmlFEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Megan Soliman, MD — By Danielle Dresden and Hana Ames — Updated on July 28, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? New clues arise Related CoverageWhat is nicotine dependence?Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD The majority of cigarette, cigar and pipe smokers have nicotine dependency. Nicotine is a highly addictive substance that leads to life-threatening…READ MOREWhat happens after you quit smoking?Medically reviewed by Timothy J. Legg, PhD, PsyD Quitting smoking can be very daunting, but some of the benefits come much faster than anticipated. In fact, health benefits begin to take effect just…READ MOREDoes nicotine cause cancer?Medically reviewed by Christina Chun, MPH Many people try nicotine replacement or vaping as an alternative to smoking cigarettes. However, people often speculate as to whether there is a link…READ MOREEverything you need to know about nicotineMedically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT Nicotine is highly addictive and harmful. It is a component in cigarettes and some e-cigarette liquid. Learn more here.READ MOREHow does smoking affect people with asthma?Medically reviewed by Shilpa Amin, M.D., CAQ, FAAFP Smoking, secondhand smoke, and e-cigarette vapor can all aggravate a person's asthma symptoms. Learn more about the link between asthma and smoking…READ MORE