HARM CAUSED TO THE BODY BY TOBACCO AND SMOKING

EYES

Irritated eyes: Much like alcohol affects the eyes, smoking can cause chronic redness of your eyes. Tobacco smoke, even passive smoke inhaled by children, can alter the tear film of eyes, exacerbating dry eye syndrome and allergic eye conditions.

Macular degeneration (blindness): People who smoke have four times the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. People who have smoked in the past have three times the risk of having a more severe form of macular degeneration.

Cataracts: Smoking may increase your risk for developing cataracts, or clouding of the lenses, much earlier and possibly much worse than people who do not smoke. Smoking reduces the supply of antioxidants in our eyes, which may lead to cataracts.

Vascular Disease: Smoking contributes to the development of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, that can contribute to or worsen vascular disease of the eyes. Artery and vein occlusion and optic nerve damage could cause significant vision loss or blindness.

Thyroid Eye Disease: People with thyroid disease are at a much higher risk of developing thyroid eye disease if they smoke tobacco. Graves' disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism, sometimes causes inflammation and swelling in the soft tissues and muscles that surround the eyes, often causing the eyeballs to

bulge or protrude from their sockets. If you are diagnosed with thyroid disease, your physician will most likely recommend that you stop smoking immediately.

Optic Neuropathy: Smoking decreases blood flow throughout the body, which could result in damage to the optic nerve. Toxic optic neuropathy, caused by methyl alcohol consumption, results in rapid deterioration in vision and irreversible blindness if not treated within 24 to 48 hours.

MOUTH AND THROAT

Cancers: smoking can greatly increase the risk of several cancers including lips, mouth, throat, larynx and pharynx.

Impaired sense of taste and smell: Smokers generally have a reduced ability to smell and taste.

Halitosis: Smokers are much more likely to suffer from bad breath.

Gum Disease

Loose teeth and tooth loss

Discolouration and staining of teeth

LUNGS

Lung Bronchus and tracheal cancer

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Bronchitis

Respiratory infections (influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis)

Shortness of breath and asthma

Chronic cough and sputum production

HEART

Coronary Thrombosis (heart attack)

Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

BONES AND SKELETAL SYSTEM

Osteoporosis

Bone marrow cancer

KIDNEYS

Kidney and Bladder Cancer

HAIR

Odour and discolouration

HANDS

Peripheral vascular disease (blocking or arteries) leading to poor circulation

FEET

Peripheral vascular disease (blocking or arteries) leading to poor circulation and DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)

LIVER

Liver Cancer

EARS

Hearing loss

Ear infection

NOSE

Cancer of nasal cavity and sinuses

Impaired sense of smell

BRAIN AND PSYCHE

Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)

Addiction and withdrawal

Altered brain chemistry

Anxiety about tobacco health effects

CIRCULATORY SYSTEM

Buerger’s Disease (inflammation of the arteries, veins and nerves in the legs)

Acute myeloid leukemia

SKIN

Psoriasis

Loss of skin tone

Premature aging/wrinkling