Facts about smoking : Canadian Lung Association

Smoking & tobacco

Choosing whether to smoke is a life-or-death decision. Get the facts:

1. Tobacco kills about 37,000 Canadians a year.

2. There are over 4,000 dangerous chemicals in cigarettes, cigars and pipes smoke. Many of these chemicals are cancer-causing (carcinogen).

3. Smokers are at very high risk for many diseases:

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, including emphysema and chronic bronchitis)
Lung cancer
Cancer of the mouth, lip, throat and voice box
Cancer of the pancreas
Breast cancer
Cervical cancer
Stomach cancer
Liver cancer
Kidney cancer
Bladder cancer
Leukemia
Coronary heart disease (e.g., heart attacks)
Circulatory problems
High blood pressure
High cholesterol (LDL)
Pneumonia
Influenza (the "flu")
The common cold
Peptic ulcers
Tooth decay (cavities)
Gum disease
Osteoporosis
Sleep problems
Cataracts

4. Second-hand smoke causes most of the serious health listed above, and more. Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada estimate that every year, second-hand smoke kills from 1100 - 7800 Canadians ( Reference - Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada fact sheet- PDF).

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