More women die of lung cancer than breast cancer in the U.S., making lung cancer the leading cancer killer of women. Compared to non smoking women, those who smoke cigarettes are more likely to suffer heart attacks, strokes, and other serious cardiovascular disorders. Women who use birth control pills and smoke are ten times as likely as female nonsmokers to suffer coronary heart disease. The risk for facial wrinkling is 2-3 times greater among smokers. Cigarette smoking in women is also associated with cancers of the urinary tract, larynx, oral cavity, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, and cervix.
Some studies also indicate that lesbians have higher smoking rates than heterosexual women.
Women who smoke are also at greater risk for death from chronic obstructive lung disease and are more likely than nonsmokers to suffer from osteoporosis, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, chronic sinusitis, peptic and duodenal ulcer disease, and severe hypertension. Smoking triggers a number of internal physical processes that promote the release of calcium from bones, thus increasing the likelihood of osteoporosis and the risk of bone fractures. Smoking is also associated with early menopause, decreased fertility, and low-birth weight babies who are also likely to be sicker than other babies. Quitting smoking is difficult, but more women than ever are successfully freeing themselves from this addiction. The results are worth it.