According to the American Cancer Society, if you smoke, your risk of dying from lung cancer is twelve times greater than a non-smoker. In addition to the higher risk of developing lung and other cancers, smoking is a leading cause of heart disease. Smokers are twice as likely to have a heart attack as a non-smoker. Smoking also poses special dangers during pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who smoke tend to have lower birth weights than those of non-smoking mothers.
Smoking also increases the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant death shortly after birth.
By not smoking, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing lung cancer and other respiratory ailments. In addition, quitting has substantial benefits. These benefits begin immediately, and within ten to fifteen years, you can potentially reduce your risk of heart disease to that of a non-smoker.