What cigarettes do to your body

Half of all long-term smokers are killed by their habit. Cigarettes damage every part of your body...

Brain
Reduces oxygen supply. Increases risk of stroke. Causes depression, headaches and mood changes

Arms and legs
Damages blood vessels and circulation, which can cause ulcers and gangrene and lead to amputation

Eyes
Doubles your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration (deterioration of eyesight)

Lungs
Causes four out of five deaths from bronchitis, emphysema (chronic breathing difficulty) and lung cancer. Increases the risk of pneumonia and makes asthma worse

Abdominal area
Increases risk of cancers of the stomach, pancreas, bladder, cervix, kidney and liver. Increases the risk of stomach ulcers and diabetes, and worsens their symptoms. Can bring on the menopause up to two years early

Heart
Raises heart rate, blood pressure, constricts blood vessels, reduces oxygen supply. Causes one in four deaths from heart disease

Circulation
Narrows and hardens the arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke

Blood
Raises blood pressure. Increases cholesterol levels

Mouth
Increases the risk of mouth and throat cancers, gum disease and tooth loss. Reduces your sense of taste and smell

Skin
Delays wound healing. Causes early wrinkling and ageing of the skin. Doubles the risk of psoriasis (dry, scaly skin)

Bones and joints
Weakens bones, increasing the risk of osteoporosis (brittle bones)


DID YOU KNOW : If you smoke 20 cigarettes a day and give up now, you'll save a whopping £1,700 a year…