Part 1: Getting Ready for Liftoff

Smoking & Your Health

Smoking is the number one cause of premature, preventable deaths in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 480,000 Americans die each year due to smoking. Many of those are from cancer, heart disease, stroke, and lung disease. Very few, if any, smokers go through their lives without having harmful effects. Smoking affects more than just your lungs—every part of the body is damaged.

 

Smoking can also cause:

•  Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

•  Aortic aneurysm

•  Diabetes

•  Osteoporosis (brittle bones)

•  Rheumatoid arthritis

•  Macular degeneration (age-related)

•  Cataracts

 

And contributes to:

•  Airway infections

•  Impaired immune responses

•  Miscarriage

•  Pregnancy complications

•  Low birth weight, cleft lip/palate, and risk of SIDS

•  Erectile disfunction

•  Frequent colds and a weakened immune system

 

After You Quit

As soon as you stop smoking, your body responds. Changes in your body start happening right away.

Chart showing how quitting tobacco helps your body.

This website is not meant to substitute for expert medical advice or treatment. Follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s advice if it differs from what is given in this guide.

 

The American Institute for Preventive Medicine (AIPM) is not responsible for the availability or content of external sites, nor does AIPM endorse them. Also, it is the responsibility of the user to examine the copyright and licensing restrictions of external pages and to secure all necessary permission.

 

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