Smoking affects nearly every organ of the body and is the cause of many deadly diseases. Some of the diseases are oral cancers, (laryngeal, lung and throat) leukaemia, cataract, kidney, pancreatic and cervical cancer, and pneumonia. The other common problems are cardiovascular diseases; and chronic lung diseases.

On how smoking kills- Saif Ali Khan Excerpts from Men's Health Magazine, July 07 issue

» Facts and Tips for Quitting

Cigarette smoke includes nicotine, carbon monoxide, 43 carcinogenic substances and more than 400 other toxins that can be found in wood varnish, nail polish remover, and rat poison. The smoke that is inhaled even by passive smokers robs the body tissues, muscles and the brain, of oxygen. The heart and body need to work harder. As time goes by less and less air will pass into your lungs. Even beginner smokers, especially young teenagers are more likely to suffer from coughs, increased phlegm, wheezing, and shortness of breath than non-smokers. Pregnant women and their babies are at high risk as chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, are more common in infants and children who have smoking parents.

On average, smoking takes 15 years off in a life span. The skin takes on a dull appearance while nails and lips become darker. Fingers get a yellowish tint due to the nicotine. Cells age faster leading to faster natural aging. A smoker always carries around him/her a stale smell of cigarettes smoke. His/her clothes, hair, personal belongings and the home is always reeking of this smell. Non smokers usually find this quite repulsive.

The Effects of Smoking on the Body
The tar, nicotine and carbon monoxide in tobacco products affect different parts of the body in different ways

Facial Skin
Carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen in the blood which it carries to tissues  all over our body, including the skin. This causes graying and wrinkling of the facial skin.  Incase of surgery, the skin does not heal as quickly or as well. People who go in for cosmetic surgery are asked to stop smoking, before and after the procedure to ensure proper healing process.

Mouth and Throat
Smokers are at risk for oral cancer. The tar in cigarette smoke can cause cancer in the tissues of the mouth and throat. Tobacco can cause gum disease, tooth decay and stale and bad breath. Teeth turn unsightly and become black or yellow. Lack of oxygen in the blood and narrow veins to the brain can lead to strokes.

Lungs and Bronchi
The complete digestive system is at risk for cancer. This is due to the smoke and the juices from tobacco products which at times escape into the throat, leading in to the digestive system.  Moving down to the chest, smoke passes through the bronchi, or breathing tubes. Hydrogen cyanide and additional chemicals in the smoke line the bronchi, inflaming them and causing that chronic smoker's cough. A smoker is 15 times more likely to develop lung cancer than a non-smoker.  Besides, a smoker's lungs become constantly inflamed and more liable to develop infections such as bronchitis.

Heart and Arteries
The effects of smoking on your heart are devastating Heavy smokers are more likely to die from a heart attack than others. Nicotine increases blood pressure, causes hardening of the arteries, as well as making the blood clot more easily. All these add up and increase risk of heart attacks. Poor circulation due to cholesterol deposits can also result in strokes, loss of circulation and numbness in limbs and impotence.

On the whole
The health effects of smoking can be seen in the following observation:
Forty percent of men who are heavy smokers will die by 65 yrs as compared to nonsmokers.
Women who smoke are faced with a higher risk of cervical cancer, and the health of their unborn babies is at stake.
Fortunately, the body begins to repair itself once you quit smoking  It takes ten to twelve years after you quit, for the body to repair most of the damage caused by smoking. So don’t wait for cancer or emphysema to set in these conditions are more often than not, fatal. This is your reason to take the big step and quit now smoking.