Addiction Nicotine Use Smoking-Related Diseases Print Health Risks and Diseases of Smoking Written by facebook twitter Written by Terry Martin Terry Martin quit smoking after 26 years and is now an advocate for those seeking freedom from nicotine addiction. Learn about our editorial policy Terry Martin Updated on June 24, 2019 Patricia Marroquin / Moment Open / Getty Images More in Addiction Nicotine Use Smoking-Related Diseases After You Quit How to Quit Smoking Nicotine Withdrawal The Inside of Cigarettes Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Drug Use Coping and Recovery Do you have any idea which smoking-related disease is the number one cause of death among smokers? If you're thinking it's lung cancer or COPD/emphysema, you're wrong. While both of these smoking-related diseases do claim a lot of lives, it is heart disease that that holds the top slot in the list of diseases that kill smokers. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States today and the leading cause of death among smokers. And, on a global level, researchers report that there were 1,690,000 premature deaths from cardiovascular disease among smokers in the year 2000. In contrast, there were approximately 850,000 lung cancer deaths during the same year, and 118,000 COPD deaths from smoking in 2001, worldwide. Smoking is hard on the heart, but the fact is, tobacco use plays a role in a multitude of diseases that ultimately lead to disability and/or death. Cigarette smoke contains over 7,000 chemical compounds; 250 of which are known to be poisonous, and upwards of 70 have been identified as carcinogens. Viewed in that light, it's no wonder that the effects of smoking are so widespread and destructive. Let's take a look at how cigarette smoke affects our bodies, from head to toe. You may be surprised at some of the ways smoking has a negative impact on our health.Brain and Mental Effects: StrokeAddiction/nicotine withdrawalAltered brain chemistryAnxiety about the harm caused by smoking Eyes: Eyes that sting, water, and blink moreMacular degenerationCataracts Nose: Less sense of smell Thyroid Graves DiseaseThyroid Disease Skin: WrinklesPremature aging Hair: Smell and staining Teeth: Discoloration and stainsPlaqueLoose teethGum disease (gingivitis) Mouth and Throat: Cancers of the lips, mouth, throat, and larynxCancer of the esophagusSore throatReduced sense of tasteBreath smells of smoke Hands: Poor circulation(cold fingers)Peripheral vascular diseaseTar-stained fingers Respiration and Lungs: Lung cancerCOPD (includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema)Cough and sputumShortness of breathColds and fluPneumoniaAsthmaComplicates tuberculosis Heart: Harms, blocks and weakens arteries of the heartHeart attack Liver: Cancer Abdomen: Stomach and duodenal ulcersCancer of stomach, pancreas, and colonAortic aneurysm Kidneys and bladder: Kidney cancerBladder cancer Bones: OsteoporosisSpine and hip fractures Spine: Degenerative Disc Disease Male reproduction: Sperm: deformity, loss of motility, reduced numberInfertilityImpotence Female reproduction: Period painsEarlier menopauseCancer of cervixInfertility and delay in conception Blood: Leukemia Legs and Feet: GangrenePeripheral vascular diseaseBeurger Disease Immune System: Weakened immune system The effects of smoking hold additional risks for women. Those who smoke throughout their pregnancies increase the risk of: Spontaneous abortion/miscarriageEctopic pregnancyAbruptio placentaePlacenta previaPremature rupture of the membranesPremature birth Risks to the fetus include: Smaller infant(for gestational age)Stillborn infantBirth defects, e.g. congenital limb reductionIncreased nicotine receptors in baby's brainIncreased likelihood of child smoking as a teenagerPossible predisposition to adult anxiety disorders As long as this list of diseases known to be associated with smoking is, it is incomplete. We don't yet fully understand all of the dangers that cigarette smoke presents, but research continues, bringing us new discoveries seemingly by the day. One thing is certain: Cigarettes snuff out life at an alarming rate. Statistics tell us that upwards of half of the long-term smokers will die a smoking-related death. And globally, that presently translates to nearly 5 million deaths a year. Put another way, someone loses their life to smoking every 8 seconds somewhere in the world. If you currently smoke, use this the "Quit Smoking Toolbox" to help you see your smoking habit for what it is—a deadly addiction that you can live without. As humans, we are incredibly resilient. While not all smoking damage is reversible, so much can be healed, even after years of smoking. Don't ever think it's too late for you to quit smoking, and please...don't waste any more of your life on cigarettes. Smoking offers you absolutely nothing of value. Take back your life. You deserve the freedom and long-lasting benefits that smoking cessation brings. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! So you're ready to finally quit smoking? Our free guide can help you get on the right track. Sign up and get yours today. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial policy to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. The Tobacco Atlas: Health Risks. 2008. World Health Organization. WHO/WPRO - Smoking Statistics. 28 May, 2002. World Health Organization. Continue Reading