Smoking affects nearly every organ of the body and is the cause of many deadly diseases. Some of the diseases are oral cancers, (laryngeal, lung and throat) leukaemia, cataract, kidney, pancreatic and cervical cancer, and pneumonia. The other common problems are cardiovascular diseases, and chronic lung diseases.

Cigarette smoke includes nicotine, carbon monoxide, 43 carcinogenic substances and more than 400 other toxins that can be found in wood varnish, nail polish remover, and rat poison.

The smoke that is inhaled even by passive smokers robs the body tissues, muscles and the brain, of oxygen. The heart and body need to work harder. As time goes by less and less air will pass into your lungs. Even beginner smokers, especially young teenagers are more likely to suffer from coughs, increased phlegm, wheezing, and shortness of breath than non–smokers. Pregnant women and their babies are at high risk as chronic respiratory problems such as asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia, are more common in infants and children who have smoking parents.

On average, smoking takes 15 years off in a life span. The skin takes on a dull appearance while nails and lips become darker. Fingers get a yellowish tint due to the nicotine. Cells age faster leading to faster natural aging. A smoker always carries around him/her a stale smell of cigarettes smoke. His/her clothes, hair, personal belongings and the home is always reeking of this smell. Non smokers usually find this quite repulsive.