Matt, what health problems are caused or made worse by smoking?
[Dr. McKenna] Well, cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable disease and death in the United States. Toxins from cigarette smoke reach just about every cell in the body and can cause damage everywhere. Smoking causes cancer, cardiovascular disease, Asthma, pneumonia, the list goes on. Smoking also harms reproductive organs and can cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, low birth weight, and it evens complicates diabetes greatly. [Dr. Gaynes] How dangerous is second-hand smoke? [Dr. McKenna] Well, we know that second-hand smoke is extremely dangerous. When a person is exposed to second-hand smoke, for even a short period of time, they can have a heart attack. Second-hand smoke is particularly bad for children. It increases middle ear infections, asthma attacks, pneumonia, bronchitis, and can even cause Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The other thing is, over long periods of time and exposure, second-hand smoke can lead to lung cancer and other forms of heart disease. [Dr. Gaynes
