Smoking: what are the effects?


Smoking: what are the effects?

Smoking affects nearly every organ in the body and has both short-term and long-term consequences. Here is a clear, organized overview:

Short-Term Effects of Smoking

These changes can appear within minutes, hours, or days:

Long-Term Health Effects

1. Respiratory System

  • Chronic coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath

  • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema

  • Increased risk of asthma attacks

  • Lung damage and permanent loss of lung function

2. Cardiovascular System

  • Hardening and narrowing of the arteries (atherosclerosis)

  • Higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure

  • Increased risk of blood clots and poor circulation

  • Peripheral artery disease (reduced blood flow to limbs)

3. Cancer Risks

Smoking is a major cause of many cancers, including:

  • Lung cancer

  • Mouth, throat, and larynx cancer

  • Esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas cancer

  • Kidney, bladder, and cervical cancer

  • Leukemia (certain types)

4. Immune System

  • Weakened immunity and slower healing

  • Increased frequency of infections (e.g., pneumonia)

  • More severe autoimmune reactions

5. Reproductive and Sexual Health

  • Reduced fertility in men and women

  • Erectile dysfunction in men

  • Higher risks during pregnancy (miscarriage, premature birth, low birth weight)

6. Skin, Hair, and Aging

  • Faster skin aging (wrinkles, dull complexion)

  • Hair thinning or premature graying

  • Reduced collagen and poor wound healing

Effects of Secondhand Smoke

Even non-smokers exposed to smoke may experience:

  • Irritation of eyes, throat, and lungs

  • Increased risk of asthma or allergies

  • Heart disease and lung cancer

  • Higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) in babies

Mental and Behavioral Effects

Benefits of Quitting

  • Heart and lung function begin improving within days to weeks

  • Lower risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke

  • Longer life expectancy

  • Better breathing, smell, taste, and energy

  • Improved appearance and self-esteem

  • Money savings and better quality of life




Effects of tobacco smoke

Tar in cigarettes coats the lungs and can cause lung and throat cancer in smokers. It is also responsible for the yellow–brown staining on smokers' fingers and teeth.
Carbon monoxide in cigarettes robs the muscles, brain and blood of oxygen, making the whole body — especially the heart — work harder.
Over time this causes airways to narrow and blood pressure to rise, and can lead to heart attack and stroke. High levels of CO, together with nicotine, increase the risk of heart disease, hardening of the arteries and other circulatory problems. A first-time smoker will often feel dizzy and sick.


‘Light’ or ‘low tar’ cigarettes
Research has shown that there is little difference between the amount of chemicals inhaled by people who smoke ‘light’ or ‘low tar’ cigarettes and those who smoke regular cigarettes. People who smoke ‘light’ cigarettes have the same risk of developing smoking-related diseases as people who smoke regular cigarettes.

Immediate effects
Soon after smoking tobacco, the following effects may be experienced:

* initial stimulation, then reduction in brain and nervous system activity;
* enhanced alertness and concentration;
* mild euphoria;
* feelings of relaxation;
* increased blood pressure and heart rate;
* decreased blood flow to body extremities like the fingers and toes;
* dizziness, nausea, watery eyes and acid in the stomach; and
* decreased appetite, taste and smell.

Overdose
Although rare, it is possible to overdose on the nicotine in tobacco. Very large doses of nicotine can result in an increase in the unpleasant effects, including feelings of faintness and confusion,
and a rapid decrease in blood pressure and breathing rate.
In some cases, it can lead to convulsions and death from respiratory failure. 60 milligrams of nicotine taken orally can be fatal for an adult.

Long-term effects
It is estimated that more than 140,000 hospital episodes and 19,000 deaths in Australia can be attributed to tobacco use every year. The principal diagnoses are cancer, heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Passive smoking
Passive smoking can cause a number of health problems including heart disease, lung cancer and irritation of the eyes and nose. It involves breathing in tobacco smoke from other people's cigarettes:

smoke that has been exhaled or smoke from the end of a lit cigarette.
50 Australians die every day from smoking, compared to 10 who die from alcohol-related conditions and 4 who die as a result of road accidents.

Tolerance and dependence
People who use tobacco tend to develop a tolerance to the effects of the nicotine in the tobacco very quickly. This means they need to smoke more and more in order to get the same effect.
With repeated use of tobacco, the risk of dependence on nicotine is high. Dependence on nicotine can be physiological, psychological or both.
People who are physically dependent on nicotine find their body has become used to functioning with the nicotine present and may experience withdrawal symptoms when they reduce their nicotine intake.

People who are psychologically dependent on nicotine may find they feel an urge to smoke when they are in specific surroundings, such as at the pub, or in particular situations such as during their lunch break or socialising with friends.
Research has shown that smoking is often associated with different roles and meanings for smokers, including the following.:

* Social roles, such as enjoyment of the company of friends, the drinking of coffee or alcohol, and promoting social confidence and feelings of independence (particularly for young women).
*Emotional roles — caring for the self, such as helping to deal with stress and anxiety, weight control and providing ‘companionship’.
* Temporal roles, such as connecting the flow of events or time in the smoker's day, providing a break from work or activities and relieving boredom.This may be why smoking is sometimes referred to as the most difficult drug to give up.

Withdrawal
If a person who is dependent on the nicotine in tobacco suddenly stops using it or reduces the amount they use, they will experience withdrawal symptoms because their body has to readjust to functioning without the drug.
Most of these symptoms will disappear within days or weeks of quitting smoking, but cravings may persist for years after stopping using tobacco.

Symptoms include:

* cravings;
* irritability, agitation, depression and anxiety;
* insomnia and disturbed sleeping patterns;
* increased appetite and weight gain;
* restlessness and loss of concentration;
* headaches;
* coughing and sore throat;
* body aches and pains; and
* stomach and bowel upsets.

The Effects of Smoking Video:



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Smoking Among Seniors


Smoking Among Seniors

Smoking Among Seniors

Smoking among seniors refers to the continued use of tobacco products — including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, electronic cigarettes, and chewing tobacco — among older adults, typically age 60 and above. While smoking is often associated with younger or middle-aged populations, a significant number of seniors remain active smokers or experience long-term health effects from decades of tobacco use. In some cases, older adults may even resume smoking due to life transitions, loneliness, chronic stress, or mental health struggles.

Reasons Seniors May Continue Smoking

  1. Long-term Habit Formation
    Many seniors began smoking decades ago, during a time when tobacco was widely accepted socially and advertising glamorized smoking. Over time, the behavior became deeply ingrained and more difficult to quit.

  2. Nicotine Dependence
    Nicotine addiction can be powerful and persistent, especially after many years of repeated exposure. Seniors may feel it is “too late” to quit or fear withdrawal symptoms.

  3. Coping Mechanism
    Smoking may be used to cope with retirement-related boredom, loneliness, bereavement, chronic pain, anxiety, or depression.

  4. Misconceptions About Quitting
    Some older adults believe that quitting later in life won’t make a difference, which is not true — quitting at any age improves health and extends lifespan.

Health Risks Specific to Older Adults

While smoking is harmful at any age, seniors face particular medical concerns:

Additionally, seniors who smoke are more likely to require hospitalizations and long-term care services.

Benefits of Quitting — Even Later in Life

Many seniors underestimate how much quitting can still improve their health. Evidence shows that:

  • Lung function begins to improve within weeks.

  • Circulation and blood pressure gradually normalize.

  • Risk of stroke and heart disease significantly drops within 1–3 years.

  • Immune function strengthens, reducing infections and complications.

  • Quality of life, energy levels, and sleep often improve.

  • Lifespan can increase, even when quitting after age 60, 70, or beyond.

Seniors who quit also reduce exposure of family members and caregivers to secondhand smoke.

Helpful Strategies for Senior Smoking Cessation

  1. Medical consultation (nicotine replacement, medications, counseling)

  2. Support groups — community centers, telehealth, senior organizations

  3. Stress management techniques (light exercise, meditation, hobbies)

  4. Gradual reduction plans if quitting abruptly feels overwhelming

  5. Healthy routine substitutions like sugar-free mints, herbal tea, deep breathing

Social and Community Considerations

Smoking among seniors can also be linked to social isolation, limited mobility, lack of awareness about support programs, or living environments (such as long-term care facilities) where smoking areas are easily accessible. Community education, family involvement, and compassionate support play important roles in motivating seniors to quit.

Conclusion

Smoking among seniors remains a public health concern due to long-standing habits, addiction, and emotional factors. However, quitting smoking at any age offers significant physical, mental, and social benefits. Support systems focused on empathy, health education, and accessible cessation programs can help older adults achieve a healthier, more fulfilling life.



Seniors face increased risks associated with smoking which include hip fractures, cataracts, and COPD. It's never too late to quit smoking. The health benefits of cessation start within minutes of the last cigarette.
  • Smoking reduces bone density among menopausal women.
  • Smoking is casually related to an increased risk for hip fractures in men and women.
  • Of the 850,000 fractures among those over age 65 in the United States each year, 300,000 are hip fractures. Persons with a hip fracture are 12% to 20% more likely to die than those without a hip fracture. Estimated costs related to hip fractures range from $7 billion to $10 billion each year.
  • Smoking is related to nuclear cataracts of the lens of the eye, the most common type of cataract in the United States. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness worldwide and a leading cause of visual loss in the United States. Smokers have two to three times the risk of developing cataracts as nonsmokers.
  • Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is consistently among the top 10 most common chronic health conditions and among the top 10 conditions that limit daily activities. Prevalence of COPD is highest in men and women 65 years of age and older (16.7% among men and 12.6% among women). 

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