| Smoking is one of the most important causes of disease and is responsible for at least one out or every five deaths in the United States. Compared to nonsmokers, smokers have 10 times the risk of getting lung cancer and twice the risk of dying from heart disease. Smoking also causes chronic lung disease, chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which can be fatal. As research continues, the list of diseases associated with smoking keeps growing longer. That list now includes stroke, peptic ulcer, osteoporosis, and cataracts, as well as cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterus, cervix, and possibly also leukemia and cancer of the breast, prostate and colon. In addition, diabetics who smoke increase ther risk of kidney disease. Smoking can interfere with the healing of wounds and fractures. It also increases facial wrinkling, making a person look older than he or she really is. |
