The harmful effects of years of smoking.
Smoking cigarettes over many years can cause serious health problems that only get worse over time. The toxins in cigarette smoke do tremendous damage to the body that builds up as the years go by - but quitting at any point starts reversing that damage.
What years of smoking does to your body.
Here are some of the main harmful effects of smoking for many years - each one gets worse the longer you smoke.
Lung Cancer
Smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer, the leading cause of cancer death. After 25 years of smoking, the risk is 25× higher than a non-smoker. The longer you smoke, the more the damage accumulates.
COPD
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema make it difficult to breathe, and smoking is the primary cause. Chronic inflammation destroys lung tissue, leading to wheezing, fatigue and frequent infections. Read more about COPD →
Heart Disease
Long-term smoking damages blood vessels and arteries, raising blood pressure and blood clotting while lowering good HDL cholesterol - accelerating plaque buildup that can cause a heart attack or stroke.
Other Cancers
Beyond the lungs, smoking raises the risk of mouth, throat, larynx, pancreas, kidney, bladder, cervix, colon and stomach cancer - all worsening the longer you smoke.
Reduced Lung Function
Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress reduce lung capacity and cause shortness of breath. Smoking also hampers the cilia that sweep toxins out of the lungs, letting damage build up further.
Increased Infections
The toxins in cigarette smoke impair immune function over time, making smokers more prone to pneumonia, flu, bronchitis, tuberculosis, gum disease and recurrent skin infections.
Early Ageing. The many toxins in cigarette smoke accelerate the ageing process - smokers develop wrinkles, sagging skin and other signs of premature ageing earlier than non-smokers, as years of oxidative stress damage DNA and age cells faster.
The damage is cumulative - but so is the healing.
Smoking for many years has a cumulative damaging effect on health. Quitting can reduce these risks, but the longer you smoke, the more harm it does. Giving up cigarettes is the best thing you can do for your health, no matter how long you've smoked.
- The benefits start immediately and continue to increase over time
- Your body starts healing soon after stopping smoking
- It's never too late to quit - every year smoke-free reduces your risk further
Start undoing years of damage - today.
Book a free, confidential consultation with a Quit Right advisor. No judgement, just a plan built around your smoking history and what works for you.