Tobacco Control and Smoking Health Effects of Smoking Smoking harms nearly every organ and system in the body. It is the cause of 80 percent of lung cancer cases and is linked to many other cancers. It is a major cause of heart attacks, heart disease, stroke, and respiratory diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking can also cause blindness, impotence and infertility. Indirect effects on children Deaths from smoking-related illnesses The chemical mix Get help to quit Indirect effects on children Smoking also impacts significantly on children’s health through its direct effects during pregnancy and indirect effects in childhood. These include increased risk of serious respiratory tract conditions such as croup, bronchitis and pneumonia and increased risk of middle ear infections. Deaths from smoking-related illnesses It is estimated that half of all long-term smokers will die from a smoking related disease. Those smokers who die from a smoking-related illness lose on average 15 years of life compared with non-smokers. About 5,000 deaths each year in New Zealand are attributed to direct smoking or second hand smoke – that’s 13 people a day. Back to top The chemical mix Cigarette smoke contains a mixture of over 4,000 chemicals such as such as acetone (paint stripper), ammonia (toilet cleaner), hydrogen cyanide (rat killer), DDT (insecticide) and carbon monoxide (car exhaust fumes). Of these 4,000 chemicals, more than 60 have been identified as cancer causing chemicals. Every cigarette you smoke is doing you damage. Get help to quit Want to quit smoking? For help, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, quit smoking provider or call the Quitline on 0800 778 778 or visit The Quit Group web site at www.quit.org.nz Back to top Website feedback We welcome your feedback on this page.

Related information Deaths from Smoking (www.deathsfromsmoking.net) This website summarises the hazards of smoking and the benefits of stopping. It also provides estimates of the number of deaths caused by smoking. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General (May 2004) A comprehensive report on smoking published by the Surgeon General of the United States of America. (www.surgeongeneral.gov) The Smoker's Body (2004) This poster from the World Health Organization vividly maps the injuries that smoking inflicts on different parts of the human body. Cigar Smoking - The Facts (1998) This fact sheet outlines some of the health effects associated with the smoking of cigars.

Page last updated: 27 February 2008