No matter how you smoke it, tobacco is dangerous to your health. Smoking can lead to a number of complications in the body, as well as long-term effects on body systems. Although smoking can increase the risk of a variety of problems for several years, some of the physical effects are immediate. Learn more about the symptoms and general effects of smoking on the body below. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay In the United States, the death rate for smokers is three times that of people who have never smoked. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says smoking is the most common “preventable cause of death” in the United States. While the effects of smoking may not be immediate, the complications and damage can last for years. The good news is that quitting smoking can reverse many effects. Nicotine is extremely habit-forming, which is why people find it so difficult to quit smoking. When you inhale smoke, you take in substances that can damage your lungs. Increased mucus production soon after quitting smoking is a positive sign that your respiratory system is recovering. Children whose parents smoke are more prone to coughing, wheezing and asthma attacks than children whose parents don't smoke. Smoking also increases blood pressure, weakens blood vessel walls, and increases the formation of blood clots. Smoking not only impacts your cardiovascular health, but also the health of those around you who don't smoke. Exposure to secondhand smoke poses the same risks for a non-smoker as for a smoker. The most obvious signs of smoking involve skin changes. The substances present in tobacco smoke actually change the structure of the skin. A recent study showed that smoking significantly increases the risk of squamous cell carcinoma. Fingernails and toenails are not immune to the effects of smoking. Smoking increases the chance of fungal nail infections. Smoking increases the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx and esophagus. Smokers also have higher rates of pancreatic cancer. People who "smoke but don't inhale" are also at increased risk for mouth cancer. Smoking also has an effect on insulin, making it more likely to develop insulin resistance. This puts you at greater risk for type 2 diabetes and its complications, which tend to develop at a faster rate than people who don't smoke. Smoking can also lower sex hormone levels in both men and women. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Quitting smoking is difficult, but your doctor can help you make a plan. You can also turn to our quit smoking resource center, which contains advice, stories from others and more. There are both short and long-term benefits to quitting smoking. Because smoking affects every system in the body, finding a way to quit is the most important step you can take to live a longer, happier life.