Risks to our health

Smoking is not harmless. It is responsible for many serious diseases: cancers, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases.

Smoking also increases the risk of osteoporosis, post-operative complications, ectopic pregnancies and erectile dysfunction.

Cancers

Smoking can cause various cancers. The most common of these is lung cancer. However, any tissue or organ in contact with tobacco smoke can develop cancer: the nose, mouth, tongue, oesophagus, stomach, kidneys and cervix, to name those most commonly affected.

Cardiovascular diseases

Smoking makes your heart beat faster and raises your blood pressure. This increases the risks of hypertension and of poor circulation in the veins and arteries.

Smoking can therefore cause heart attacks, strokes, angina, coronary heart disease and arterial diseases.

Chronic respiratory diseases

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a lifelong disease affecting the lungs and bronchial tubes. Smoking is responsible for around 80 % of cases of COPD.

It is a progressive and irreversible disease in which the bronchial tubes narrow and the pulmonary alveoli are gradually destroyed, resulting in increasing breathing difficulties.

Osteoporosis

Smoking makes it more likely that you will develop osteoporosis. It weakens the bones, which can lead to actual osteoporosis and increases your risk of fractures.

Post-operative complications

A smoker who undergoes an operation is at greater risk of post-operative complications: breathing difficulties, infections, poor wound healing and slow bone healing in the event of fractures. It is recommended that you do not smoke for several days prior to an operation.

Smoking and the contraceptive pill

Women who are taking the contraceptive pill are at much greater risk of cardiovascular diseases and strokes.