Health effects
Short-term effects
Smoking tobacco has many negative short-term and long-term consequences. The immediate effects of tobacco include:
- stimulation, then suppression of brain and central nervous system activity
- alertness and increased concentration
- relaxation
- increased blood pressure and heart rate
- poor blood circulation and decreased circulation to fingers and toes
- nausea and promotion of stomach acid (feeling of 'heartburn')
- weakened appetite and sense of smell and taste
- yellowing of the skin, and smoke stains on fingers and teeth
- reduced fitness and increased susceptibility to colds and influenza
- aggravation of stomach ulcers
- poor dental hygiene.
Long-term effects
There is a clear link between tobacco and cancer. Many of New Zealand’s 4700 deaths from tobacco are due to cancer. Long-term effects of tobacco include:
- lung cancer
- other cancers, including cancers of the skin, stomach, mouth, lips, throat, bladder, liver, cervix, kidney and pancreas; leukaemia
- emphysema
- impotence in men and lower fertility in women (and earlier menopause)
- premature ageing and more wrinkles – smokers look older!
- doubled or tripled risk of heart attack
- vascular disease, which can lead to amputations
- increased risk of cardiovascular disease
- osteoporosis.
