It is estimated that smoking is related to 434,000 premature deaths each year in the U.S.,and 2.5 million deaths worldwide. Smokers' risk of heart attack is more than twice that of non-smokers. This is the 4th biggest cancer killer in America, and cigarette mokers have 2 to 5 times the risk of dying of pancreatic cancer compared to non-smokers. Smokers have 7 to 10 times the risk of bladder cancer compared to non-smokers. The damage occurs over a period of time.
Smoking constricts blood vessels.
If you are prone to circulatory problems, smoking only makes them worse. Smoking has been implicated as a primary cause of Buerger's Disease, which triggers inflammatory changes in small and medium-size arteries and veins and can lead to gangrene and even amputation if the patient continues to smoke. The risk increases if you're also obese and have high blood fat levels. Smokers with high blood pressure have a 20-fold increase in the risk of stroke. Heavy smoking can make it harder to taste foods and discriminate among smells.