Smoking is the largest cause of preventable deaths in the western world. Are you aware of the contents of a cigarette - here is what you are breathing in: 

Carbon monoxide - car exhausts emit this
Nicotine - used in pesticides
Ammonia - used in floor cleaners
Arsenic - a white ant poison
Butane - is lighter fluid
Hydrogen Cyanide - poison used in gas chambers
Toluene - an industrial solvent
DDT - is an insecticide
Acetone - is a paint stripper
Cadmium - is used in car batteries
Methanol - is rocket fuel
Naphthalene - is used in moth balls

Only one cigarette is enough to harm your body. The more you smoke the greater the risk of harm you are doing to your body and the greater risk your cigarette smoke is harming others who breathe it in.

There are many other ways smoking affects that you may not be aware of:

Immediate and Short Term Effects

. Your hair smells
. Your breath smells
. Your teeth get stained
. Your fingers get stained
. Less oxygen gets to the lungs which restricts your fitness levels and may cause asthma attacks in asthmatics
. Each time you smoke your blood pressure increases and your heart is forced to pump harder however the supply of oxygen to the heart is reduced

Medium and Long Term Effects

There is a greater risk of:

Stroke
Cardiovascular disease
Heart attack
Emphysema
Lung cancer
Impotence / infertility
Blindness
Mouth and/or throat cancer
Skin becomes dry and wrinkled
Less muscle tone
Peripheral vascular disease (affects both arms and legs)
People who would like help to quit smoking can call the Quit line on 13 18 48.

Source: Health Department of WA

Related Articles:
Risk Factors - Secondhand Smoke