Health Effects of Smoking
Smoking is the leading preventable cause
of death and disease in Australia. In 2003, it was estimated that tobacco use
was responsible for more than 15,500 deaths or nearly 12% of all deaths. 1
Tobacco use reduces not only your life expectancy but your quality of life. Many
medical conditions caused by smoking can result not just in death, but in living
for years with disabling health problems. It is estimated that more than 204,700
years of healthy life were lost in Australia, in 2003, as a result of smoking.1
Inhaling the substances in any type of burning tobacco is harmful to the human
body. The toxins in tobacco smoke can go everywhere in the body that the blood
flows2 causing harm to nearly every organ and system of the body. Low tar and
low nicotine cigarettes are not safer to smoke and are not a healthier option
compared to cigarettes with higher levels of these toxins.3,4
While some health effects from smoking are immediate there is a long time lag,
sometimes decades, between smoking and many tobacco-related diseases. This time
lag can result in some smokers believing it won’t happen to them. However, half
of all lifetime smokers will die from smoking related diseases, and half of
these will be in middle age (35-69yrs).5
Scientific evidence confirms that smokers face significantly increased risks of
death and or illness from numerous cancers, heart disease, stroke,
atherosclerosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, emphysema and other respiratory
diseases. Smoking also causes blindness, dental problems, erectile dysfunction,
reduced fertility in women, sudden infant death syndrome, contributes to
osteoporosis and increases the risks of pregnancy complications including
premature birth, low birth weight, still birth and infant mortality. 2
Exposure to second-hand smoke also causes premature death and disease in
children and adults who do not smoke. There is no risk-free level of exposure to
second-hand smoke.6
Quitting at any age has benefits, with the largest reduction in risk in those
who quit the earliest7. Many Australians remain unaware of the extent of the
impact smoking has on the body. Thinking about quitting?
*Information source: www.quitnow.info.au