Smoking has been shown to increase the risk of coronary heart disease by 2-4 times, stroke by 2-4 times, men's development of lung cancer by 27 times, and women's development of cancer by almost 26 times. Not only does smoking cause these increased risks, it also contributes to the overall decline in health which then causes more time and money spent on health care and less time at work. 

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Smoking damages airways and the alveoli in the lungs which can lead to lung disease including COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis), lung cancer, and the onset of asthma or worsening asthma. Smoking doesn't just effect the lungs, but can can also cause cancer almost anywhere in the body. 

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Smoking can also create other risks to your health.  These risks include difficulty conceiving in women, a reduction in fertility in men, birth defects, stillbirth, low birth weight, SIDs.  In addition smoking can increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, teeth and gum problems, cataracts, an increase in inflammation and a decrease in immune function.

 

For more information on the risks of smoking, please read the following article from the CDC:  Health Effects of Cigarette Smoking