World No Tobacco Day is celebrated every year on 31 May to raise awareness about the damage caused by the regular consumption of tobacco. Consumption of tobacco costs 80 lakh deaths across the world every year. Tobacco is not only harmful to human lives but also causes damage to the environment. The theme for World No Tobacco Day 2022 is "Protect the Environment." 

Within 10 seconds of your first try, toxic chemicals in tobacco smoke reach your brain, heart, and other organs. Smoking not only affects your lungs but your entire body. Smoking can cause a variety of complications as well as long-term effects on the body system. 

Harmful effects of tobacco smoke on the body system

Lung cancer – Smoking puts you at a significantly higher risk of developing lung cancer. Lung cancer is the most common cause of death due to smoking. According to the CDC, it is the most common cause of cancer death in both men and women. 

Bronchitis – Smokers have a higher rate of bronchitis. Secondhand smoking can also increase the risk for bronchitis, especially in children. Other respiratory diseases like tuberculosis and pneumonia may worsen by smoking.

COPD – Developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is more common in smokers. In fact, 8 out of 10 cases of COPD are due to smoking. Your asthma symptoms can worsen as well.

Constricted blood vessels – Nicotine causes blood vessels to tighten and restrict blood flow which increases your risk for high blood pressure, stroke, and heart attack.

Persistent coughing – Continuous exposure to smoke damages your airways that contribute to this cough.

Poor vision – Smoking can cause future vision problems and increase the risk of eye problems like glaucoma, macular degeneration, and cataracts.

Mood stimulation – Smoking can temporarily put you in a good mood but dependence is common and withdrawal side effects like anxiety and irritability can be a challenge.

Early menopause – Female smokers tend to enter menopause earlier than non-smokers. Smoking has also been shown to increase hot flashes. 

High cholesterol – Tobacco smoke lowers your HDL (good cholesterol) and increases your LDL (bad cholesterol). It also raises total cholesterol and triglycerides which are fats in your blood.

Heart disease – Smoking contributes to heart disease. Those people who smoke and those who are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke are at higher risk for heart diseases.

Immune system – Smoking lowers your immunity to fight off infection. Smokers are at higher risk for respiratory diseases than people who don’t smoke.

Infertility – Men and women who smoke are more likely to experience short-term and long-term fertility issues.

Erectile dysfunction – Smoking constricts the blood vessels and erectile requires adequate blood flow.

Blood clotting - Smoking can increase clotting throughout your body. Blood clots can increase the risk of heart damage, stroke, and pulmonary embolism.

Increased risk of blood cancer

Problem with pregnancy and newborn

Yellow fingers

Loss of appetite

Cervical cancer

Unhealthy teeth