Physical effects

Nobody will try to argue that smoking is good for you, however the severe cost of smoking to people’s health is often underestimated. In reality, smoking is responsible for:

Fatal illnesses - One fifth of all deaths in the UK are caused by smoking. Smoking causes around 30 per cent of all cancer deaths, including 84 per cent of lung cancer deaths, 17 per cent of all heart disease deaths and 80 per cent of deaths from bronchitis and emphysema.(iv)
Other debilitating illnesses - Smoking is a risk factor in a number of other health conditions, including stroke, Crohn’s disease, osteoporosis, cataracts, stomach ulcers and impotence.
Premature ageing - Tobacco smoke dries the skin’s surface and restricts blood vessels so that less blood, oxygen and essential nutrients come to the skin’s surface, leading to a grey, lacklustre appearance. (v)
Skin discolouration - Tar from the cigarettes can cause discolouration of fingers and fingernails on the hand that holds the cigarette, (v)
Diseases of the mouth - Smoking can cause mouth ulcers, gum disease leading to dental problems and bad breath and yellow staining on teeth. (v)
Passive smoking - More than 17,000 children under the age of five are admitted to hospital each year because of the effects of passive smoking. (vi) Breathing in other people’s smoke can increase the risks of chest infections, severe asthma symptoms, chronic coughs, wheezing and glue ear.
Pregnancy danger - Smoking during pregnancy leads to an increased risk of miscarriage, bleeding during pregnancy, premature birth, low birth-weight babies and sudden infant death syndrome (cot death). (vii)

Psychological effects
It is well known that cigarettes are addictive, and it is for this reason that they can be so hard to give up. The addictive effect of nicotine is linked to several theories that try to explain the addiction to smoking. 

The ‘Receptor’ theory explains how, after years of smoking, the brain increases the number of nicotine receptors in the brain of the smoker. (viii)  These receptors rely on receiving nicotine so when the supply stops they ‘call out’ for nicotine which the smoker feels as a craving.  Often these cravings are intense and last for many weeks after the smoking has stopped but can weaken the smoker’s willpower.  Nicotine Replacement therapies such as NiQuitin work by providing therapeutic levels of nicotine to the receptors which helps to relieve the cravings.  This in turn gives the smoker an increased chance of breaking the habiti. (x)

Another theory suggests that the effect of nicotine is to cause the brain to release a chemical called dopamine, which is associated with feelings of pleasure. When smoking a cigarette, nicotine is absorbed rapidly into the blood stream and high concentrations will reach the brain within seconds of lighting up, giving smokers an almost instant ‘hit’. Once nicotine reaches the brain, it affects the central nervous system, causing various emotional mood changes including relaxation, decreased tension and arousal.

The brain soon becomes accustomed to a regular nicotine supply, so when smokers quit the habit, it is common to experience withdrawal symptoms. These can include aggression, irritability, depression, restlessness, poor concentration, increased appetite, light-headedness, disturbed sleep and cravings. (x)