Health effects of smoking: Diseases, conditions and other health effects
There is strong medical evidence that smoking tobacco is a known or probable cause of several debilitating and often fatal diseases of the lungs, heart, and other organs. It has negative effects on nearly every organ of the body and reduces overall health. Smoking tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of premature death and diseases and has negative health impacts on people of all ages.
On this page
- Lung cancer
- Other cancers
- Respiratory diseases
- Cardiovascular diseases
- More information on smoking related diseases
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is the leading cause of death due to cancer in Canada. Smoking tobacco is the single most important preventable cause of lung cancer. Smoking causes genetic changes in the cells of the lungs that can lead to the development of lung cancer.
Other cancers
Research shows that smoking tobacco can lead to respiratory and upper digestive tract cancers, particularly cancer of the mouth, throat (pharynx), voice box (larynx) and esophagus. Research also indicates that smoking tobacco is a contributing cause of leukemia and cancers of the bladder, stomach, kidney and pancreas, and increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Respiratory diseases
The respiratory diseases associated with smoking are often grouped together and referred to as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD includes emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. Cigarette smoking is connected to an increased risk of respiratory symptoms, including coughing, phlegm, wheezing and difficult or laboured breathing (dyspnea).
Cardiovascular diseases
Cardiovascular diseases are diseases and injuries of the heart, the blood vessels of the heart, and the system of blood vessels (veins and arteries) throughout the body and brain. Cardiovascular diseases caused by smoking include heart attacks and angina (coronary heart diseases), blockages in the legs (peripheral vascular disease), and strokes (cerebrovascular diseases).
More information on smoking-related diseases
- Exposure to second-hand smoke during pregnancy
- Smoking and sudden infant death syndrome
- Smoking and strokes
- Smoking and age-related macular degeneration
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