The effects of smoking

Smoking affects everybody differently. The number of cigarettes smoked per day and the age at which you start smoking are some of the things that may influence what affect smoking has on you. Research has shown that the younger a person is when they start to smoke, the more likely it is they will experience smoking-related disease and illness, such as cancer and heart disease. Some of the effects of smoking include:

Becoming addicted - Once you start smoking it may become very difficult to give it up. Cigarettes contain nicotine, which is a highly addictive substance meaning that it becomes something that your body relies on and finds it hard to do without. Remember you don't have to smoke a lot of cigarettes or smoke everyday to become addicted.

Reduced fitness levels - Smoking makes it a lot harder to stay fit and healthy. When you smoke you are more likely to have shortness of breath or get sick with coughs and colds. This may make it harder to play sport or stay fit.

Changes in appearance - Smoking may cause your skin to break out, it can stain your teeth making them look yellow and it may also cause bad breath.

Increased stress levels - It is common for people to use smoking as a way of dealing with their stress. Nicotine is a stimulant, which means that when you smoke your body is placed under stress. Therefore if you are already stressed out and you are smoking you make your body work harder and smoking may actually increase your stress levels. Check out the fact sheets on stress and relaxation for other ways to help you relieve stress and chill out.