Tobacco - Toxic Effects

Introduction

This section outlines the toxic effects of Tobacco, toxins contained in Tobacco and nutrients interfered with by Tobacco.

Aging Process

 Tobacco smoking may accelerate the Aging Process in the Skin (by increasing the degradation of Collagen by the Collagenase enzyme).  ^[1]

Cardiovascular System

 Tobacco smoking may cause Atherosclerosis (primarily due to the Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Tobacco Smoke):  ^[2]

 Tobacco smoking may impair the function of the Endothelium and may stimulate the adhesion of Monocytes to the Endothelium (an underlying event in the course of Atherosclerosis).  ^[3]

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of abnormal Blood Clotting that leads to Cardiovascular Disease (by increasing Fibrinogen and Homocysteine levels).

 Tobacco smoking may cause Cerebral Insufficiency (people who smoke more than 20 cigarettes each day have a decline of at least 7% in Blood Circulation to the Brain).

 Tobacco smoking may damage the Endothelium of Blood Vessels.

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of Hypertension by increasing Blood Pressure (due to Nicotine causing vasoconstriction).  ^[4]

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of Intermittent Claudication.  ^[5]

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of Ischemic Heart Disease.  ^[6]

 Tobacco smoking may aggravate Raynaud's Disease (by causing further constriction of the Blood Vessels).

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of Stroke.  ^[7]

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of Varicose Veins.  ^[8]

Digestive System

 Tobacco smoking may cause Halitosis.

 During the early stages of Tobacco Smoking, the Nicotine component of Tobacco may cause Vomiting (by stimulating the Vomiting Center in the Brain) - however tolerance to this side-effect develops rapidly.

Ears/Hearing

 Tobacco smoking may impair Hearing.

Eyes/Vision

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD):  ^[9]

 People who smoke a pack or more of cigarettes per day have a 2.5 times greater risk for ARMD than non-smokers.

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of Cataracts.  ^[10]

 Tobacco smoking may cause Eye Inflammation.

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of (diabetic) Retinopathy.  ^[11]

Immune System

 Tobacco smoking may cause many types of Cancer (due to Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons and at least 23 of the remaining 2,000 chemicals that are found in Tobacco Smoke):

 Tobacco smoke is by far the greatest source of ingestion of Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in humans.

 Tobacco smoking may cause Bladder Cancer.

 Tobacco smoking may cause Cervical Cancer.

 Tobacco smoking may cause Colon Cancer.  ^[12]

 Tobacco smoking may cause Esophagus Cancer.

 Tobacco smoking may cause Larynx Cancer.  ^[13]

 Tobacco smoking may cause Lung Cancer(however after ceasing to smoke for five years the risk of Lung Cancer is the same as that for a person who has never smoked).  ^[14]

 Tobacco smoking may cause Pancreatic Cancer.  ^[15]

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of Squamous Cell Carcinoma.  ^[16]

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of Cervical Dysplasia.  ^[17]

 Tobacco smoking may cause Leukoplakia (i.e. precancerous lesions in the Mouth).

 Tobacco smoking may increase the risk of (Systemic and Discoid) Lupus Erythematosus.  ^[18]