As a result of the dramatic rise in female smokers in the 1960s and 1970s, it is expected that female smoking-related deaths will continue to rise until the turn of the century and may reach, or even exceed, male levels by the year 2005. Lung cancer kills more women than breast cancer. Women who smoke get more coughs, colds and minor illnesses. Women who smoke AND use birth control pills are at a much higher risk of stroke or heart disease. Death by stroke is five times higher in women who smoke.
Smoking doubles the risk of cervical cancer.
Heart disease kills 4 in 10 Canadian women. For women, smoking triples the risk of dying from heart disease. Middle-aged women who smoke are likely to be as wrinkled as non smokers who are 15 to 20 years older. The most recent and most comprehensive review of the health effects of second-hand smoke was conducted by the California Environmental Protection Agency. It found that 4,700 to 7,400 Californians died from diseases resulting from their exposure to cigarette smoke.