Cigarette Smoke

Scientific evidence has proven that smoking can cause cancer of the lung, larynx, esophagus, mouth, and A normal lung (left) and the lung of a cigarette smoker (right). Photograph by A. Glauberman. National Audubon Society Collection/Photo Researchers, Inc. Reproduced by permission. bladder; cardiovascular disease; chronic lung ailments; coronary heart disease; and stroke. Smokeless tobacco has equally deadly consequences. When cigarette smoke is inhaled, the large surface area of the lung tissues and alveoli quickly absorb the chemical components and nicotine. Within one minute of inhaling, the chemicals in the smoke are distributed by the bloodstream to the brain, heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, muscle, and fat tissue. In pregnant women, cigarette smoke crosses the placenta and may effect fetal growth.