Most of these smokers and chewers want to quit, but find it very difficult. While the health risks are highest among heavy smokers, no user of tobacco can escape the fallouts. The health risks of smoking and smokeless tobacco are numerous and well established. Many organs and body systems can be adversely effected by tobacco, yet millions continue to use it. Those who start to smoke at an early age are more likely to develop health problems and are at a higher risk of health consequences in their adult life. People who smoke or use smokeless tobacco are at an immediate risk of a wide rage of health problems, including varying effects for women in pregnancy, cancers, and respiratory diseases.
Evidence linking smoking with dilemmas in pregnancy has been accumulating for several years. Smoking has a direct effect on the growth of the fetus. The more the mother smokes during pregnancy, the lower the weight of the newborn. Such babies, called "low birthweight" babies, are more likely to suffer unpleasant outcomes, including stillbirth, and the need for special treatment in intensive care units. Smoking during pregnancy may also increase the risk of a miscarriage. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) also occurs more frequently in the infants of mothers who have smoked during their pregnancy. Pre-natal smoking invites added risk to the mothers health, as well to that of their child. Abnormalities and bleeding during pregnancy are also increased with smoking, as are countless other possible problems.
Smoking is responsible for thousands of deaths each year, many of which are cancer-related. Smoking causes cancer of the lung, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, urinary bladder, and cervix. Some evidence also links smoking with cancer of the large intestine and some forms of leukemia. Recent research suggests, that for the same amount of smoking, women may be more susceptible than men to develop lung cancer.
