One may ask what is so harmful about cigarettes? A chemical you can find in cigarettes is nicotine. Nicotine is addictive, but it is not the most harmful part of a cigarette. This is why using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) such as the patch or gum is a safe choice if you need help with reducing or quitting smoking. When you use NRT, you only get the nicotine and not the other chemicals in cigarettes. NRT can help reduce
withdrawal symptoms and increase the chances of quitting. Speak to your healthcare provider about whether it is safe for you to use NRT. If you're not sure of what to say, you can try some tips from our
How to Talk to Your Healthcare Provider.
When you smoke, cigarettes release carbon monoxide (CO), a colorless and odorless gas. CO enters into your blood stream from your lungs. With CO in your blood, your body has a harder time to carry oxygen to the parts of your body that need it. As a result, many important parts of your body (e.g. heart, brain, and kidney) do not get the blood, nutrition or oxygen they need. For women who are pregnant and smoking, this means that baby isn't getting the nutrition they need either.
It can be common to hear that "smoking is bad for your health". You may wonder what exactly is bad about it and what impact it can have on you. Below are some facts on the impact smoking has on your health.
