Introductions

Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of developing various chronic illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases. Here are some of the health risks associated with smoking cigarettes in Canada.
 

1) Cancer

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Canada, and smoking is a significant risk factor. Smoking cigarettes can cause several types of cancer, including lung cancer, throat cancer, and bladder cancer. In Canada, lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths, and smoking cigarettes is responsible for approximately 85% of all lung cancer cases.

2) Respiratory Diseases

Smoking cigarettes damages your lungs and airways, leading to respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis causes inflammation of the airways, making it difficult to breathe, while emphysema damages the air sacs in the lungs, making it challenging to exhale. In Canada, smoking cigarettes is responsible for about 30% of all deaths due to respiratory diseases.

3) Cardiovascular Diseases

Smoking cigarettes is a significant risk factor for heart disease and stroke. It damages the blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis, a condition where the arteries narrow and harden, making it difficult for blood to flow. This can lead to heart attacks and strokes. In Canada, smoking cigarettes is responsible for about 30% of all deaths due to heart disease.

4) Reproductive Problems

Smoking cigarettes can cause reproductive problems in both men and women. Women who smoke have a higher risk of infertility, premature birth, and low birth weight. Smoking cigarettes can also affect sperm quality in men, leading to infertility.

5) Dental Problems

Smoking cigarettes can cause several dental problems, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer. In Canada, smoking cigarettes is responsible for about 50% of all cases of oral cancer.

Other Health Risks

Smoking cigarettes can also cause other health risks such as:

  • Diabetes
  • Rheumatoid arthritis
  • Vision loss
  • Weakened immune system

How Does Smoking Affect Canadians?

Smoking has a significant impact on Canadians’ health and the economy. Here are some key facts:

  • Smoking causes an estimated 45,000 deaths in Canada each year.
  • Smoking costs the Canadian economy an estimated $16 billion in healthcare costs and lost productivity each year.
  • Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in Canada.
  • More than 5 million Canadians smoke cigarettes regularly.
  • The Canadian government has implemented several policies to reduce smoking rates, including high taxes on tobacco products, graphic warning labels on cigarette packages, and restrictions on tobacco advertising and sales to minors.

Need help to quit smoking?

Useful resources to help you quit smoking cigarettes:

Health Canada – 1-866-366-3667 (TOLL FREE)
https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/smoking-tobacco/quit-smoking/provincial-territorial-services.html

Services to help you quit smoking in every province:

Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of developing various chronic illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, and respiratory diseases. It can also cause reproductive problems, dental problems, and other health risks such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, vision loss, and weakened immune system.

According to Statistics Canada, over 5 million Canadians aged 15 years and above smoked in 2020.

Yes, smoking cigarettes can cause several types of cancer, including lung cancer, throat cancer, and bladder cancer.

Smoking cigarettes damages your lungs and airways, leading to respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

Yes, smoking cigarettes can cause several permanent dental associated diseases.