Long-term Risks
Short-term Risks
- Shortness of breath
- Asthma
- Impotence
- Infertility
- Increased carbon monoxide level in the blood
- Effects on physical appearance
- Wrinkles at an early age
- Tooth and gum disease
- Yellowing of teeth and fingers
- Smell like smoke
Health Risks Caused or Worsened by Tobacco
- Shortness of breath
- Asthma or allergies
- Carbon monoxide in your blood
- Impotence
- Infertility
- Stomach ulcers
- Osteoporosis
- Emphysema
- Bronchitis
- Heart attack or stroke
- Leukemia
- Cancer of the bladder
- Cancer of the lung
- Cancer of the pancreas
- Cancer of the cervix
Health Risks That Are Caused by Tobacco That May Affect Your Family
- Your partner or children are more likely to have lung cancer.
- Babies of smokers are more likely to be born premature, with low birth weight, with cleft lip or palate, with birth defects, and may have other health problems.
- Children of smokers are more likely to be smokers themselves.
- Children of smokers are more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), have asthma, lung problems, and ear infections.
Oral Health Risks That Are Caused or Worsened by Tobacco
- Cancers affecting the mouth, tongue, lips, throat, pharynx and larynx (more than 90 percent are attributed to tobacco use.)
- Periodontal disease
- Cavities
- Gum recession
- Halitosis (bad breath)
- Reduced ability to taste
- Yellowed teeth
Social Risks
- Smelly clothes, hair, car and home
- Pressure to stop smoking in public
- Wrinkles at an early age
- Cost
NEXT: Giving Up Tobacco is the Right Decision