Recent studies confirm earlier findings of a strong link between smoking and cancer of the pancreas and with cancer of the kidney and urinary bladder. Evidence is also growing concerning a link between smoking and some forms of leukemia. Each year, smoking is responsible for more than 8,000 deaths in Canadians from respiratory diseases. Smoking far outweighs all other factors, including air pollution and occupational exposures, in causing these conditions. Persons with these conditions often suffer long periods of disability marked by progressive shortness of breath and limitations on many daily activities.
Smoking has an adverse effect on the body's immune system and other defense mechanisms.
The risk of respiratory infections, such as pneumonia and influenza, is increased in smokers compared to nonsmokers. A recent study concluded that smoking increases susceptibility to the common cold. Smoking has a direct effect on the growth of the fetus. The more the mother smokes during pregnancy, the lower the weight of the newborn infant. Smoking appears to both decrease the quantity of breast milk and change its quality, and may lead to early weaning.