Smoking

What is smoking?

Smoking involves inhaling and exhaling fumes from burning plant materials, mainly tobacco. Cigarettes, cigars, and hookahs contain over 7,000 chemicals, with at least 69 linked to cancer.

Is there a safe way to smoke or use the products?

No. All tobacco products are harmful, whether smoked or chewed. Cigars, pipes, ecigarettes, and hookahs do not reduce health risks. Secondhand smoke also harms non-smokers

What are the effects of smoking on the body?

• Cancer and health: Smoking weakens the immune system and increases the risk of diabetes and several cancers, including lung, bladder, liver, and stomach cancer.
• Lungs & breathing: Smoking damages airways and lung tissues, increasing the risk of asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and lung cancer. Children exposed to smoke are at risk of infections.
• Brain & mental health: Nicotine is addictive, causing anxiety, irritability, and depression when withdrawing.
• Heart & circulation: Nicotine raises blood pressure, damages blood vessels, and increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots.
• Skin, hair & bones: Smoking ages skin, causes wrinkles, hair loss, and slow wound healing. It also weakens bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Can these effects be prevented?

Yes! Quitting smoking improves health almost immediately. Many programs and medications to help quit. The earlier you quit, the better your body recovers.