And the American Cancer Society reports that lung cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths among both men and women. Cigarette smoking has also been linked to coronary heart disease , stroke , chronic bronchitis , gastric ulcers , and emphysema . While cigar and pipe smokers who do not inhale are less at risk from lung cancer than cigarette smokers, their risk of developing cancer of the mouth and throat is just as great. There are more than 4,000 chemical compounds in every cigarette that are hazardous to your health. Nicotine , for example, acts as a stimulant which raises blood pressure and heart rate.
Nicotine causes irritation to the lining of the blood vessels.
Hardening of the arteries can eventually lead to heart attack or stroke . At least 40 of these chemicals in cigarettes are known to cause cancer in humans. There is no such thing as a safe cigarette. A study by the American Cancer Society showed that smokers of low tar and nicotine brands inhale more deeply and puff more rapidly, causing the same health risks as people who smoke medium or high tar and nicotine cigarettes. Other research findings indicate that the vast majority of people who smoke would like to quit .