10 ways smoking negatively affects your body (that aren't to do with your lungs)

We all know smoking can have a devastating impact on our lungs. Tobacco cigarettes not only inflame and irritate the organs, they also destroy lung tissue and the delicate, broom-like hairs called cilia which keep them clean.

But it’s not just the lungs and our breathing that are damaged by smoking. Many other parts of the body are also affected - some of which may surprise you. Here, we have highlighted 10 ways smoking negatively affects the body (beside poor lung health):

1.  Dental and Oral Health

From causing tar-stained yellow teeth and smelly breath to increasing the risk of gum disease and tooth loss, smoking and tobacco use are no good for dental and oral health. It is one of the main causes of mouth cancers which include the lips, tongue, cheeks and throat.

2.  Skin Health

Smoking reduces the amount of oxygen and vitamins getting to the skin, causing premature ageing and wrinkling, especially around the lips and mouth. As well as looking older more quickly, smoking can also be a trigger for the itchy skin condition psoriasis, and for acne in older people.

3.  Men’s Health

Blood flow around the bodies is reduced and restricted by smoking which can lead to (potentially permanent) erectile dysfunction (impotence). Smokers may experience a loss of libido (reduced sex drive), their sperm count, shape and motility may be negatively affected and they have an increased risk of experiencing fertility problems.

4.  Women’s Health

Smokers are at increased risk of experiencing period pain and more severe menopausal symptoms. The menopause may occur one to four years earlier because smoking can reduce egg production and oestrogen levels. Smokers are also more likely to experience a loss of libido (reduced sex drive) and fertility problems. Smoking increases the risk of ovarian cancer as well as the risk of cervical cancer for women infected with HPV.

5.  Heart Health

The use of tobacco and nicotine products increases the risk of cardiovascular disease which is one of the main causes of death and disability in the UK. Smoking can damage the arteries and narrow the blood vessels of the heart. It can cause plaque build-up, blood clots and restricted blood flow which can eventually lead to heart attacks and strokes.

6.  Eye Health

Smoking increases the risk of many eye disease and vision problems. These include cataracts, where the lens develops cloudy patches, and age-related macular degeneration which can make everyday activities such as reading and recognising faces more difficult.

7.  Brain Health

Smoking is a risk factor for dementia, a group of disorders that result in a decline of brain functioning. Dementia affects memory, as well as the way a person speaks, thinks, feels and behaves.

8.  Mental Health

It’s a common myth that smoking helps people to relax. When smokers haven’t had a cigarette in a while, the craving for one can make them feel anxious or stressed, and having one may temporarily reduce those feelings. However, it is often the effects of smoking that add to these negative feelings in the first place as smoking increases anxiety, tension, stress and depression. Stopping smoking is proven to boost mood and improve mental health and wellbeing.

9.  Cancer

Cigarettes contain over 5,000 chemicals and at least 70 of those are known to be cancer causing. In fact, smoking is the biggest cause of cancer worldwide. The more cigarettes you smoke, and the longer you smoke for, the higher your risk of cancer. Once breathed in, the chemicals damage DNA and this increases the risk of many different types of cancers including leukaemia and that of the stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder and bowel.

10.  Diabetes

Smoking is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes. Nicotine changes cells so they don’t respond to insulin, which increases blood sugar levels. Chemicals in cigarettes harm cells in your body and cause inflammation. This also makes cells stop responding to insulin. What’s more, people who smoke have a higher risk of belly fat, which increases the risk for type 2 diabetes even if they aren’t overweight.

This month is StopiOctober, a nationwide campaign by Ash Wales which encourages smokers to begin their quitting journey. For more information please go here.

It’s never too late to stop smoking. For a full list of stop smoking services locally, and to find out if you need to pre-book an appointment, please contact the Help Me Quit contact centre team by:

· Calling freephone 0800 085 2219

· Texting HMQ to 80818 (text cost is one standard rate message)

· Going to the Help Me Quit website here and requesting a call back

Smokers can also be referred to Help Me Quit by their GP or practice nurse, or if they find themselves in hospital they can access services and products on-site before being transferred back to the community. Some pharmacies in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan also offer Help Me Quit advice and products.