The consequences of smoking result in a huge cost in health care in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that tobacco-related diseases result in more than 400,000 deaths among adults in the United States each year. Elderly smokers have a 41 percent increase in the rate of hip fracture. Smoking often delays healing of fractures and wounds. People who smoke may also experience more low back pain than nonsmokers.
Smoking is associated with an increase in the incidence of rheumatoid arthritis.
Nicotine, the most powerful substance in tobacco, ultimately causes a decrease in blood flow to all tissues in the human body. This is most pronounced in the hands and feet. Decreased blood flow in the hands and feet due to smoking can lead to death of tissue, requiring amputation of a hand or foot. Smokers also have a higher incidence of hand contraction and nerve problems. Patients who smoke have a higher complication rate from surgery than nonsmokers.