Cigarette smoking harms the body by raising cholestrol levels and blood pressure, as well as increasing the risk of cancer and cataracts. Smoking destroys certain vitamins and creates the need for other specific nutrients.
{"Addictive substances: Nicotine," Lets Live Magazine, Oct. 1996}

Smokers are 4 times more likely to have gray hair and increased hairloss (British Medical Journal, Science News, Jan. 11, 1997}

No amount of smoking is free of risk. The exact amount of risk depends on how long you've smoked and how deeply the you inhale, as well as genetic factors. (UCBerkeley Wellness Letter, June 1998}

Smoking is associated with a decline in physical function that makes a smoker act several years older than he/she really is. Tobacco smoking reduces the effectiveness of medications, such as pain relievers, antidepressant , tranquilizers, sedatives, ulcer medication and insulin. With estrogen and oral contraceptives, smoking may increase the risk of heart and blood-vessel disease. Currently, smoking kills 1 in 10 adults worldwide.
{Information Plus - The Information Series on Current Topics, "Alcohol and Tobacco, America's Drugs of Choice," 1998}

Smoking makes tinnitus worse, says Dr. Harold Pillsbury, University of NC, Professor of Surgery and Otolaryngology.
{People's Pharmacy, Public Radio, July 24, 1999}

Other research shows that smokers have an increased risk of heart disease (including stroke, chest pain and palpitations), cancer, emphysema,fatigue, loss of vitamins and nutrients, premature aging, gastrointestinal disorders, osteoporosis sinus congestion and throat irritation. According to medical reports, colds,flu and laryingitis last much longer for those who smoke.

Smoking causes an increased stress in the whole body even though there seems to be a lessening of stress when the body gets its 'fix' from the nicotine. Dr. Norman Shealy, a physician with the Shealy Institute for Comprehensive Pain and Health Care in Springfield, MO, tells us that smokers tend to consume other drugs and chemicals more frequently than nonsmokers, and have a lower threshold for pain, possibly because smoking stimulates adrenaline and also blocks one of the body's natural pain relievers. Smokers are more vulnerable to headaches.