7.3 smoking and the risk of disease

• Tobacco smoke contains:

  • nicotine
  • carbon monoxide
  • tar
• nicotine is the addictive substance in the cigarettes.
• carbon monoxide is a toxic gas which replaces oxygen in red blood cells.
• tar is a sticky black substance that accumulates in the lungs. It is a carcinogen.
• The blood carries less oxygen around the body because of carbon monoxide attaching to red blood cells. This leads to breathlessness.
• If a pregnant woman smokes her baby will aslo receive less oxygen leading to premature births, low birth weight and stillbirths.
• chemicals in cigarette smoke damage the cilia in the airways which leads to a buildup of mucus.
• A build up of mucus in the airways often leads to the typical smokers cough.
• tar can cause cancers in the throat, larynx and trachea.
• a causal link has been shown between smoking and cardiovascular disease.