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.