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HARM CAUSED TO THE BODY BY TOBACCO AND SMOKING
EYES
Irritated eyes: Much like alcohol affects the eyes, smoking can cause chronic redness of your eyes. Tobacco smoke, even passive smoke inhaled by children, can alter the tear film of eyes, exacerbating dry eye syndrome and allergic eye conditions.
Macular degeneration (blindness): People who smoke have four times the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. People who have smoked in the past have three times the risk of having a more severe form of macular degeneration.
Cataracts: Smoking may increase your risk for developing cataracts, or clouding of the lenses, much earlier and possibly much worse than people who do not smoke. Smoking reduces the supply of antioxidants in our eyes, which may lead to cataracts.
Vascular Disease: Smoking contributes to the development of arteriosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, that can contribute to or worsen vascular disease of the eyes. Artery and vein occlusion and optic nerve damage could cause significant vision loss or blindness.
Thyroid Eye Disease: People with thyroid disease are at a much higher risk of developing thyroid eye disease if they smoke tobacco. Graves' disease, the most common form of hyperthyroidism, sometimes causes inflammation and swelling in the soft tissues and muscles that surround the eyes, often causing the eyeballs to
bulge or protrude from their sockets. If you are diagnosed with thyroid disease, your physician will most likely recommend that you stop smoking immediately.
Optic Neuropathy: Smoking decreases blood flow throughout the body, which could result in damage to the optic nerve. Toxic optic neuropathy, caused by methyl alcohol consumption, results in rapid deterioration in vision and irreversible blindness if not treated within 24 to 48 hours.
MOUTH AND THROAT
Cancers: smoking can greatly increase the risk of several cancers including lips, mouth, throat, larynx and pharynx.
Impaired sense of taste and smell: Smokers generally have a reduced ability to smell and taste.
Halitosis: Smokers are much more likely to suffer from bad breath.
Gum Disease
Loose teeth and tooth loss
Discolouration and staining of teeth
LUNGS
Lung Bronchus and tracheal cancer
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Chronic Bronchitis
Respiratory infections (influenza, pneumonia, tuberculosis)
Shortness of breath and asthma
Chronic cough and sputum production
HEART
Coronary Thrombosis (heart attack)
Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
BONES AND SKELETAL SYSTEM
Osteoporosis
Bone marrow cancer
KIDNEYS
Kidney and Bladder Cancer
HAIR
Odour and discolouration
HANDS
Peripheral vascular disease (blocking or arteries) leading to poor circulation
FEET
Peripheral vascular disease (blocking or arteries) leading to poor circulation and DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis)
LIVER
Liver Cancer
EARS
Hearing loss
Ear infection
NOSE
Cancer of nasal cavity and sinuses
Impaired sense of smell
BRAIN AND PSYCHE
Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)
Addiction and withdrawal
Altered brain chemistry
Anxiety about tobacco health effects
CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
Buerger’s Disease (inflammation of the arteries, veins and nerves in the legs)
Acute myeloid leukemia
SKIN
Psoriasis
Loss of skin tone
Premature aging/wrinkling