Risk Factors
Smoking
One of the more well-known risk factors for non-communicable diseases is smoking and tobacco use.
- People can smoke, chew, or sniff tobacco.
- Smoked tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, bidis, and pipes.
- Chewed tobacco products include chewing tobacco, snuff (which can also be sniffed), and snus.
Lung
Mouth
Throat
Oesophagus (the tube between your mouth and stomach)
Bladder
Bowel
Cervix
Kidney
Liver
Stomach
Pancreas
Coronary heart disease
Heart attack
Stroke
Cerebrovascular disease
Peripheral vascular disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) such as bronchitis and emphysema
Passive smoking (second hand smoke)
When people smoke, most of the smoke does not go in the lungs but goes into the air, and people nearby may breathe it in. Passive smoking is when you breathe in the smoke from other people’s cigarettes, cigars or pipes. Second hand smoke can be invisible and odourless. People who regularly breathe in second hand smoke, such as those who live with a smoker, have a risk of developing many of the same diseases.
Smoking during COVID-19 pandemic
Researchers have been investigating whether health behaviours have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some research in some countries suggest that smoking prevalence has increased slightly. People who already smoked often report that the amount they smoke has increased. It is likely that there are many factors underlying this. Some people may be experiencing more stress, loneliness, and loss of daily structure during social distancing, which may be related with smoking.
Stop smoking
One of the best things that you can do for your health is to stop smoking. Even if you have been a smoker for many years, you will gain many health benefits if you stop.