Major Diseases Caused by Smoking

Smoking is the most well-known cause of diseases. It is the cause of preventable premature deaths. Tobacco contains over 4000 toxic and harmful substances, 55 of which are carcinogenic. With every cigarette we smoke, our risk of contracting these diseases increases. Every dose is harmful. Respiratory diseases are at the forefront of diseases caused by smoking. The most significant and well-known disease caused by smoking is lung cancer. In Turkey, 40,000 new lung cancer patients are registered every year. Smoking is responsible for 90% of lung cancers. Passive smoking plays a significant role in the remaining 10%. Besides lung cancer, smoking plays a major role in cancers of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, and trachea. Bladder cancer is directly linked to smoking. In addition, smoking plays a significant role in stomach, pancreas, and cervical cancers. Looking at diseases other than cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, is very common. One in every two long-term smokers definitely develops COPD. It manifests with shortness of breath, cough, and phlegm, and in later stages, respiratory failure and hypoxic conditions can occur.

Respiratory Problems from Smoking

Smokers are much more prone to respiratory tract infections than non-smokers. You contract illnesses more frequently than non-smokers and face a longer recovery process. The tendency for pneumonia increases. Gastrointestinal diseases are also common in smokers. Specifically, reflux and stomach ulcers are much more common in smokers. Besides these, sexual dysfunction, impotence, and infertility are also observed. Early menopause in women can develop due to smoking. It can also cause many other diseases such as osteoporosis, early cataract development, premature skin aging, and the formation of deep lines and wrinkles.