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Beyond Lung Cancer: 10 Major Health Risks of Cigarette Smoking

Smoking harms nearly every organ. Beyond lung cancer, it causes:

  1. Cardiovascular disease: Coronary artery disease, MI, stroke, aortic aneurysm — #1 smoking-related killer.
  2. COPD: Emphysema + chronic bronchitis — irreversible airflow limitation.
  3. Other cancers: Oral, pharyngeal, laryngeal, esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, renal, bladder, cervical, acute myeloid leukemia.
  4. Respiratory infections: Impaired ciliary clearance → pneumonia, TB, influenza severity.
  5. Stroke: 2–4× risk; endothelial dysfunction, hypercoagulability, atherosclerosis.
  6. Peripheral artery disease: Claudication, critical limb ischemia, amputation.
  7. Reproductive harm: Erectile dysfunction, reduced sperm quality, preterm birth, low birth weight, SIDS, ectopic pregnancy.
  8. Periodontitis: 2–3× risk; impaired healing, tooth loss.
  9. Eye disease: AMD (2–3×), cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy progression.
  10. Diabetes: 30–40% ↑ risk type 2; worse glycemic control.

Secondhand Smoke

Causes 41,000+ adult deaths/yr in US (heart disease, lung cancer, stroke). No safe exposure level.

Cessation Benefit

Risk drops rapidly: 1 yr → CVD risk halves; 5 yr → stroke risk = never-smoker; 10 yr → lung cancer risk halves; 15 yr → CVD risk = never-smoker.

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