Tobacco-Associated Diseases

Certain diseases occur with a much greater frequency in people who smoke than in those who don’t. The reasons for increased disease frequency, regardless of which disease, are due to increased plaques in arteries which results in a narrowing of arteries. Arteries with smaller lumens equates to less oxygen and nutrients to tissues and cells, longer growth and healing times, more workload on the heart, increased blood pressure, a chill or cold feeling in hands and feet from impaired circulation. Nicotine in tobacco products is also a vasoconstrictor- meaning blood vessels are made smaller by effects of the drug on smooth muscle surrounding vessels. Therefore, the arteries-which are the vessel leading away from the heart and carriers of oxygen- are doubly affected in smokers. Additionally, carbon monoxide that is found in cigarette smoke binds heme iron in red blood cells more effectively than oxygen. Hypoxia,or lack of oxygen in the body causes many injurious health problems and diseases. 

Diseases that tobacco use is shown to cause with much greater frequency:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Cancer (many types)
• Heart disease
• Impotence
• Respiratory health problems
• Stroke

A list of the types of cancer that tobacco use can increase the risk of developing are: lung, pharynx, larynx, lip, tongue, mouth, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, uterus, and cervix.

The risks to a male smoker are increased 23 times for developing lung cancer than for a nonsmoking male. The risk is 13 times higher for female smokers to develop lung cancer than to nonsmokers. Cancer is usually due to accumulated genetic damage which can happen when the body is exposed repeatedly to the many toxins found in cigarette smoke. Compound this with the above weakened state of the body from lack of oxygen, nutrients, and stressed cardiovascular system. 

Issues in the area of respiratory diseases can come as not surprise to smokers. The lungs will experience decreased elasticity and capacity the longer a person smokes. Chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) and emphysema are almost assured in persons who have spent a lifetime smoking. Elasticity of the lungs is something a person does not recover, even if they stop smoking. Some lung capacity can be recovered.

On an aesthetic note, smokers usually age their skin faster than nonsmokers. As above, the decreased oxygen to the tissues, especially peripherally, is partially to blame. Skin cells in smokers are also less hydrated and lose the protein collagen faster than nonsmokers skin. The elastin protein fibers become thicker to make up for the collagen fiber loss, but this also leads to less elasticity in the skin.

Smoking by pregnant women can lead to increased risk of adverse effects to the baby. As noted above, blood pressure increases can lead to preeclampsia and premature birth. Premature birth can lead to developmental disorders, and low birth weight. The risks for stillbirth and sudden infant death syndrome after birth are also increased.

Smokers see the warnings on tobacco labeling. Many try repeatedly to quit. The tobacco companies continue to make their products with addictive additives that keep people hooked on a deadly product and marching towards a bleak future full of health complications and likely a suffocating death state. Class action and individual suits against tobacco companies have been

greatly reduced since the $206 billion master settlement to 46 states by the 7 biggest tobacco companies in 1998. Tobacco companies consider settlements to be trifling things when compared to the profits they continue to make, despite deaths, diseases, or sobering statistics.

The laws of states vary when it comes to lawsuits against tobacco companies. The health care costs to individuals, their families, and states only continue to climb as tobacco use has changed very little over decades. 

If you or loved one suffered an injury or death due to a tobacco related disease, you may be eligible for damages. Let the experts at the Sweeney Law Firm review the facts to see if you have a case. If we represent you, it will be on a contingency fee basis, meaning we don’t get paid unless there is a settlement or a recovery of funds for you.