Harmful Effects of Smoking

BRAIN: Nicotine directly affects, alters, and takes control of specialised receptor cells in the brain responsible for regulating well-being, mood and memory. The drug remains active for 20-40 minutes, then withdrawal symptoms begin: mood changes, irritability, anxiety. Discomfort becomes more severe stimulating intense craving for more nicotine. Regular and long term use lead to addiction. 


THROAT: Can cause cancer of larynx and oesophagus, irritates membranes of the throat. 


HEART: Nicotine raises heart rate, increases blood pressure, and constricts blood vessels. Carbon monoxide (the deadly gas produced from cigarette smoke) decreases the delivery of oxygen to the heart, increasing risk of heart attacks and strokes. Smoking also results in a weakening of the heart muscle's ability to pump blood, leading to death. Causes aortic aneurysms (blood-filled sac in aorta) and pulmonary heart disease. Stimulates adrenaline production, speeding up the heart and increasing blood pressure.


KIDNEYS: Reduces the kidneys' ability to process fluids and waste, inhibiting formation of urine.Cancer.


REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM: Reduces sex drive and increases risk of impotence in males. In females, increased chance of cervical cancer, reduces fertility and brings on menopause earlier.
Smoking increases chance of miscarriage, pregnancy complications, bleeding, and premature delivery. Smoking during pregnancy may cause impairment of the baby's growth, intellect, and emotional development.  


CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM: Nicotine stimulates adrenaline production: the heart rate goes up by 15-20 beats per minute. It increases blood pressure, constricts blood vessels, reduces sex drive and inhibits urine formation. 

MOUTH: Dulls taste buds, irritates membranes of mouth causing bleeding and receding gums, gum disease, foul breath, and numbness. Also causes stained teeth, tooth decay and loss of teeth. Cancer of the Mouth.


LUNGS: Causes progressive limitation of air in and out of lungs - Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease. Damages and destroys tiny air sacs of the lungs which reduces the lungs' ability to bring in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide -Emphysema. Causes bronchial tubes to be inflamed, thickened, and increases mucus resulting in narrowing of air passages -Chronic Bronchitis. Tar and other particles settle in bronchial tubes causing lung cancer. Tar and smoke destroy tiny cells that clean, protect, and remove foreign particles from lungs.


STOMACH AND DUODENUM: Stomach and duodenal ulcers develop, creating burning pain.


BLOOD VESSELS: Nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, increasing blood pressure and the risk of heart attack. 

BLADDER:Cancer of bladder.


BONES: Increases risk of early onset of osteoporosis.


VERTEBRAE: Increased risk of vertebral cancer.