Immediate Effects of Smoking include:

One cigarette immediately raises a person's blood pressure and heart rate and decreases the blood flow to body extremities

Brain activity and the nervous system are stimulated for a short while and then reduced

A smoker may experience dizziness, nausea, watery eyes and acid in the stomach while or after smoking

Appetite, and senses such as taste and smell are distorted

Smoking increases the risks for:

Respiratory infections such as Pneumonia and chronic Bronchitis

Emphysema

Heart attacks and coronary disease

Cancers such as lung, throat, mouth,

cervix

Stomach ulcers

Peripheral vascular diseases

Other Dangerous Facts of Smoking:

Smoking during pregnancy can affect the unborn child

Second-hand smoking is as dangerous, if not more dangerous, than first-hand smoking

Smoking in a room separate from children or others does not necessarily avoid second-hand smoking, because carcinogens can seep into furniture and walls

Other Effects of Smoking include:

Shortness of breath

Persistent coughs

Yellow stains on fingers and teeth

Changes in appearance such as facial wrinkles and "rubber" like skin

Bad smelling breath, clothes, hair, home, car, etc...

Decreased sense of taste and smell

Weakened immune systems compared to nonsmokers

Possible impotence in men and women are less fertile than non-smokers

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