Carcinogens absorbed from cigarette smoke and smokeless tobacco are concentrated and excreted in the urine. The bladder and the kidneys are in constant contact with these cancer-causing chemicals. Bronchioles, Lungs Smoking causes the lungs and bronchioles to be inflamed and congested. Chronic bronchitis predisposes smokers to emphysema, an incurable lung disease. Emphysema is characterized by stretching and breaking of the tiny air sacs of the lungs, making them useless for breathing.
Cigarette smokers are ten times more likely to die of lung cancer than nonsmokers.
Reproduction Smoking more than pack daily is associated with higher incidence of infertility in women. Babies born to women who smoke are lighter and smaller than those born to nonsmokers. This is important because birth weight is a predictor of infant health. Women who take birth control pills and who smoke are at a greater risk for cancer. Brain Strokes are generally caused by a combination of high blood pressure and smoking and are the third leading cause of death in the U.S. Nicotine from any source constricts blood vessels and restricts oxygen supply.