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Long-term
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Long-term Effects of Smoking
Along with all of the perceived benefits of
cigarette smoking, there are many drawbacks to the habit. Significant
research has been conducted during the ongoing debate about the dangers of
smoking and many negative long-term effects of the habit have been
discovered.
Some of the long-term effects of cigarette smoking include:
Cancer: Increased risk in several types:
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According to the
American Cancer Society, cigarette smoking is a major cause of
cancers of the lung, larynx, oral cavity, pharynx and esophagus and is
a contributing cause in the development of cancers of the bladder,
pancreas, uterine cervix, kidney, stomach, and some leukemias. |
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Breast Cancer: In a study conducted by Band, Le, Fang,
and Deschamps, it was determined that cigarette smoking does increase
the risk of breast cancer in pre-menopausal women who have not yet
completed a full-term pregnancy. However, they showed no significant
increase in the risk of post-menopausal women or those who have
delivered at least one full-term baby. |
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Cervical Cancer: Smoking doubles the risk of cervical
abnormalities. Among the women who have low-grade cervical disease,
simply stopping smoking would lead to regression of the lesions.
According to a study by Marteasu, Rana, and Kubba, unfortunately, many
of the women who have these abnormalities do not understand the link
between smoking and the effects it may have on cervical health. |
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Lung Cancer: Eight-seven percent of lung cancer deaths
are associated with smoking. This cancer has proven to be one of the
most difficult to treat and is usually not detected in the earliest
stages. (American Cancer Society) |
Dental health: poorer than in non-smokers
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The American Dental
Association states that the use of tobacco products increases the
risk of oral cancer and developing gum diseases, delays healing
following oral surgeries, and contribute to bad breath, staining of
the teeth and tongue, and increase the amount of tartar buildup on the
teeth. |
Pregnancy: Increased complications
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Cleft lip and/or cleft palate: Tobacco use during
pregnancy has been associated with increased incidents of cleft lip
with and without cleft palate. This relationship was examined in a
study by Lorente, Cordier, Goujard, Ayme, Bianchi, Calzolare, DeWalle,
Hermien, and Knill-Jones. They found this risk to increase with the
number of cigarettes smoked. |
Suicide: Increased risk
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Smokers are more likely to be unmarried, to be less
physically active, to drink and smoke more heavily, and to develop
cancer more often than non-smokers. Based on that theory, Miller,
Hemenway, and Rimm concluded that, compared to never-smokers, smokers
were at increased risk for suicide, increasing the risk with the
number of cigarettes smoked. |
*** Note: These long-term effects are by no means
all-inclusive. There are many other effects of cigarette smoking that are
not mentioned in this page. ***
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