'"....Lung cancer used to be rare in women but now it has overtaken breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in women....."

Women

Currently 28% of men smoke compared to 26% of women but rates are much higher among women between aged 16 & 24. Children who grow up with parents who smoke are much more likely to start themselves.

In addition to all of the common health issues women who smoke increase their risk of:

 

More frequently missed periods
- Irregular bleeding in older women
- Higher risk of cervical cancer
- Miscarriage and other problems during pregnancy
- Low birth weight and premature babies
- Still birth and cot death
- Early menopause
- Heart attack - especially if combined with the contraceptive pill 
- Stroke - especially if combined with the contraceptive pill 
- Osteoporosis (women who smoke throughout adulthood will probably have reduced their bone density by 5-10% more than non-smokers by the time they reach menopause)

It also gives you:

- Smokers cough
- Stained fingers
- Discoloured teeth
- Premature wrinkles 
- Smelly hair and clothes

 

 Not very sexy, sophisticated or desirable!!

 

Now why not take a look at some of our other Health Issues pages

Around the body  See the different effects it has on each part of your body
Benefits of Giving up  See what happens over time
Sex & Smoking  Find out how your sex life can be affected by smoking
2nd Hand Smoke Find out what it's doing to your family and friends
Pregnancy The answers to your smoking during pregnancy questions