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The Effects of Tobacco Use
on Women
- Since 1987, lung cancer has been the leading cancer killer among
women, surpassing breast cancer.
- Tobacco use can lead to irregular periods, mood swings,
and cramps.
- If you are taking birth control pills, smoking increases your risk
of stroke, heart attacks, and blood clots.
- Smoking worsens asthma and counteracts asthma medication.
- Women smokers have a more masculine pattern of body fat
distribution (i.e., a higher waist-to-hip ratio) than do women
who have never smoked.
- Women who smoke have lower bone density than nonsmokers.
This increases the risk for hip fractures.
- Women who smoke have a 13% greater chance of dying from
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and may need to
be on oxygen for the remainder of their lives.
- Tobacco use complicates pregnancy.
- Tobacco use can make it difficult to get pregnant.
- Women who smoke may have an increase in risks
for ectopic pregnancy and spontaneous abortion.
- Women who use tobacco have a greater chance of
having premature or low birthweight babies.
- Smoking in pregnancy and around a baby increases a baby's
chances of dying from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
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