Back in the 1950’s, doctors actually used to recommend smoking cigarettes to their patients, but since then we know plenty about the damaging effects of smoking on our health. The smokers cough is the obvious one, as harmful substances are breathed into the lungs. These substances can also cause wheezing, trouble breathing and an increased number of colds, all of which can gradually lead to asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).Smoking also comes with a whole host of personal hygiene problems. Not only does the smell of smoke cling to your clothes, house and furniture, but the tar in the cigarettes can cause bad breath and yellow-stained nails and teeth. The build-up on your teeth over time can even lead to tooth loss or gum disease.As for the serious, long-term conditions, the list goes on and on. Named as the number 1 preventative cause of cancer, smoking can lead to lung cancer, liver cancer, throat and mouth cancer, bladder cancer and cervical cancer in women. It can also lead to stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and fertility problems for both men and women.The negative effects on your health aren’t just noticed in the long run though - they can also be noticed day to day with smokers often suffering chest pains, reduced sense of smell and taste, and unexplained weight loss. Not only does it negatively impact your health, but it’s also a costly habit. The NHS is said to spend around £2 billion a year on smoking-related illnesses and the average smoker (with a 20-a-day habit) spends £2,000 a year on cigarettes.