Smoking and Your Health: What You Need to Know

🚭 Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death and disease in the UK, responsible for over 100,000 deaths every year. For every death caused by smoking, 20 more people live with smoking-related illnesses.

  • Half of all smokers will die from a tobacco-related illness.

  • Smokers die on average 10 years earlier than non-smokers.

⚠️ Why Smoking Is So Harmful

  • Tobacco smoke contains over 7,000 chemicals, including 70 cancer-causing substances.

  • Smoking damages nearly every organ in the body and harms people around you through second-hand smoke.

🩺 Health Risks

Smoking is linked to:

  • Cancers: Lung, mouth, throat, oesophagus, bladder, kidney, pancreas, liver, cervix, and more.

  • Lung diseases: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, chronic bronchitis.

  • Heart and circulation problems: Heart attack, stroke, peripheral vascular disease.

  • Diabetes: Increases risk by 30–40%.

  • Weakened immune system and slower wound healing.

  • Fertility problems in men and women.

  • Pregnancy risks: Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth, low birth weight, birth defects.

Smoking also causes:

  • Poor oral health (gum disease, tooth loss)

  • Eye problems (cataracts, blindness)

  • Bone weakness (osteoporosis)

  • Increased risk of dementia and mental health issues.

👶 Smoking in Pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy can harm both mother and baby:

  • Miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth

  • Low birth weight

  • Birth defects

  • Increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

📊 The Impact

  • In 2019, smoking caused 15% of all deaths in adults aged 35+ in England.

  • It accounts for 78% of lung cancer deaths and 87% of COPD deaths.

  • Smoking costs society over £11 billion per year, including £2.5 billion to the NHS.

⚖️ Health Inequalities

Smoking is more common in disadvantaged communities and among people with mental health conditions. It is a major driver of health inequalities, reducing life expectancy by up to 9 years in poorer groups.

✅ Why Quitting Matters

Stopping smoking:

  • Reduces your risk of serious illness immediately.

  • Improves breathing, circulation, and energy.

  • Saves money and protects your family from second-hand smoke.

🆘 Get Support

woman lights her cigarette with lighter
woman lights her cigarette with lighter
red and white cigarette pack
red and white cigarette pack
person holding belly photo
person holding belly photo
a no smoking sign on a brick wall
a no smoking sign on a brick wall
vegetable and meat on bowl

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