The American Lung Association estimates that 23 percent of all adult American women (22.5 million) are smokers. The World Health Organization estimates that over 200 million women worldwide are smokers. Like men, most women start smoking when they are teenagers. Studies have shown that one factor in many young women’s decision to smoke is the perception that it is glamorous and “cool”. Ironically, cigarettes also cause premature wrinkles, yellow teeth and dull hair and skin appearance.
Studies indicate that smoking may be more hazardous to women’s health than it is to men’s. For example, women aged 44 or younger who smoked at least a pack of cigarettes per day were 7 times more likely to suffer a heart attack than women without a history of smoking. The risk of male smokers increased by only 2.8 times in comparison with male nonsmokers. Cigarette smoking reduces levels of estrogen and HDL (good) cholesterol, both of which are protective factors against heart disease. After menopause, this lack of estrogen may also be linked to higher rates of osteoporosis and hip fracture among women who smoke.
These results have been confirmed by a study of more than 30,000 Danish men and women. Researchers there found that female smokers had twice the relative risk of developing respiratory diseases and significantly higher risk of developing cardiovascular disorders, than male smokers. In this study most of the women smoked fewer cigarettes, inhaled less deeply and began smoking at a later age than the male smokers.
In addition to an increased risk of stroke, cardiovascular disease and respiratory diseases, female smokers are at an increased risk of several other conditions:
- Lung cancer. Researchers found that the risk of developing lung cancer was more than twice as high for female smokers over 60 compared to male smokers. According the Centers for Disease Control, approximately 90 of all female lung cancer deaths are attributable to smoking.
- Other cancers, including pharynx, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, kidney, bladder and uterine.
- Infertility
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Menstrual and/or hormonal problems
- Earlier menopause.
- Complications during pregnancy, labor and delivery.
Female smokers who take birth control pills are at a greater risk for blood clots, high blood pressure and stroke. Women over 35 who smoke should speak with their physician before taking birth control pill.
Research indicates that female smokers find it more difficult to quit smoking than men do. Female smokers appear to get more satisfactions from smoking than their male counterparts, which may explain why they have a harder time giving it up. According to the National Women’s Health Resource Center they also continue to smoke for emotional reasons, such as anger, depression, or stress.
Smoking is particularly harmful to pregnant women and the babies they carry. The poisonous chemicals in smoke pose real threats to the unborn baby. Smoking during pregnancy is associated with low birth weight, premature delivery, miscarriage and post-delivery death. It has also been associated with a 50 to 70 percent higher chance of delivering babies with a cleft lip or palate.
Children born to mothers who smoke during pregnancy are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, to become obese, to experience more colds and respiratory illnesses and they are 4 times more likely to have rebellious, risk-taking and impulsive toddlers. The Centers for Disease Control estimate that eliminating maternal smoking may lead to a 10% reduction in all infant deaths.
If you smoke, quit now! Quitting is tough, but it is worth the effort. Get help at the following websites. You don’t have to do it alone.
