Smoking
We all know smoking is not good for you! The fact is the younger you start, the worse it is.
The health effects of smoking
Smoking tobacco in cigarettes, roll-ups, a pipe or in any way at all:
- Damages the lining of your arteries, leading to a build-up of fatty material. This makes them narrower and harder to get blood through.
- Reduces the amount of oxygen in your blood.
- Makes your heart beat faster and raises your blood pressure, thanks to the nicotine inside the cigarettes.
- Causes your blood to clot more easily.
Smoking facts
Keep these points in mind before you consider lighting up.
- Smoking kills someone every 6.5 seconds.
- Costs the average smoker £28 a week, or £90,000 in a lifetime.
- Gives you bad breath by drying out your supply of saliva.
- Turns your fingers and teeth yellow and makes your gums more prone to bleeding.
- It gives you early wrinkles, making you look older.
- Smoking increases your chances of getting cancer.
E-cigarettes can be a way to help people stop smoking, but they should not be used by people to begin smoking. E-cigarettes also have their own health warnings and should be avoided, as well as regular cigarettes, roll-ups, a pipe or any other way of smoking.
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