Long-term effects of tobacco smoking
Long-term smoking does harm to many parts of the body,
1. Cardiovascular disease
Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and peripheral vascular disease (PVD).
2. Lung cancer and respiratory problems
- Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, accounting for 80% of lung cancer deaths.
- It also causes COPD (chronic bronchitis/emphysema), and pneumonia.
3. Premature aging
Smoking accelerates aging, causing premature wrinkles, age spots, and hair loss.
4. Eye damage
Smoking increases the risk of cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration (RNIB, 2020).
5. Bone health
Smoking contributes to osteoporosis, increasing the risk of fractures and osteoporotic compression.
6. Infertility and pregnancy complications
Smoking affects fertility and pregnancy outcomes; increasing the risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and sudden infant death syndrome.
7. Neurological damage
Smoking increases the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and stroke-related cognitive impairment.
8. Oral health
Smoking causes tooth decay, gum disease, and oral (and head and neck) cancer.
9. Chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Smoking causes CKD as it is the primary cause of renovascular disease (RVD); which is one of the commonest causes of CKD in older people.
10. Reduced life expectancy
Smoking reduces life expectancy by 10-15 years, with every 10 cigarettes smoked reducing life expectancy by 5 hours.
Additional recommendations
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Smoking cessation support: Offer patients nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), prescription medications (e.g. varenicline), and counselling.
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Brief interventions: Provide brief advice and motivational interviewing to encourage quitting.
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Referral to specialist services: Direct patients to NHS Stop Smoking Services or local smoking cessation programmes.
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Monitoring: Regularly assess smoking status and provide ongoing support.
Other resources
