Every year about 19,000 Australians die of smoking related diseases. Smoking damages nearly every organ in the body and one in two lifetime smokers will die from their smoking.  Quitting at any age gives immediate benefits and reduces the the chance of developing smoking-related illnesses. With planning and determination you can quit and stay a non-smoker.

Health effects of smoking

Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, including nicotine, carbon monoxide, tar, ammoniaand arsenic. Many of the chemicals are toxicand at least 69 of them are known to be carcinogenic (cause cancer). When tobacco smoke is inhaled, many chemicals pass through your lungs and into your bloodstream and are carried around your body. It makes no difference whether you  smoke "light", "mild" or regular cigarettes, or other forms of tobacco: you will inhale similar amounts of toxic chemicals.

• Nicotine is an addictive drugthat can make quitting difficult - but not impossible
• Carbon Monoxide replaces some of the oxygen carried in your blood robbing your muscles,  heart and brain of vital oxygen
• Tar coats your lungs like soot in a chimney and causes cancer.

Some of the chemicals damage cilia, the tiny hairs that help clean your lungs and some destroy lung tissue.
The damage caused by smoking starts with the first cigarette and continues for as long as you smoke.

Smoking:

Increases the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and blood vessel disease.
Damages your lungs, causing respiratory diseases such as emphysema, asthma and bronchitis.
Increases your risk not only of lung cancer, but also other types of cancer, including cancer of the mouth, throat, bladder, stomach and pancreas.
Reduces fertility in women and men. It can lead to erectile problems (impotence) in men and miscarriage or complications in pregnancy and labour.
Weakens your immune system, making you more susceptible to infections such as influenza and pneumonia.
Smoking can also cause or contribute to many other health problems such as tooth and gum problems, blindness and osteoporosis.
It can increase recovery time after surgery or illness, and on avcerage will reduce your life span by 10 YEARS

Why stop smoking?

There are heaps of great reasons to quit smoking:
The condition of your heart, lungs, circulation and immune system will improve.
Your breathing will improve.
Food will smell and taste better.
Your general health and resistance to infection will be better, so you will have less time off work and exercise due to sickness.
You will save money - over $5000.00 per year for a pack-a-day smoker.

Information supported by the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia Feb 2011

Body Creation - Steve Grigoropoulos 0419 348 838