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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Office on Smoking and Health
Tel: 1-800-CDC-INFO
(1-800-232-4636)
TTY: 1-888-232-6348
E-mail: tobaccoinfo@cdc.gov
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2004 Surgeon General’s Report—The Health Consequences of Smoking
Smoking Among Adults in the United States: Other Health Effects
Disclaimer
Highlights
- Smokers are more likely to be absent from work than nonsmokers,
and their illnesses last longer. (p. 627)
- Smokers tend to incur more medical costs, to see physicians more
often in the outpatient setting, and to be admitted to the hospital more often and
for longer periods than nonsmokers. (pp. 652–653)
- Smokers have a lower survival rate after surgery compared to that
of nonsmokers because of damage to the body’s host defenses, delayed wound
healing, and reduced immune response. Smokers are at greater risk for complications
following surgery, including wound infections, postoperative pneumonia, and other
respiratory complications. (p. 653)
- Periodontitis is a serious gum disease that can result in the loss
of teeth and bone loss. Smoking is causally related to periodontitis. This may be
because smoking affects the body’s ability to fight infection and repair
tissue. (pp. 733, 736)
- Peptic ulcers, which are located in the digestive tract
(stomach and duodenum), usually occur in people with an infection caused by the
Helicobacter pylori bacterium. Among persons with this infection, smokers
are more likely to develop peptic ulcers than nonsmokers. In severe cases, peptic
ulcers can lead to death. (p. 805)
- Although only a small number of studies have looked at the
relationship between smoking and erectile dysfunction, their findings suggest that
smoking may be associated with an increased risk for this condition. More studies
are needed, however, before researchers can conclude that smoking is causally related
to erectile dysfunction. (p. 776)
Disclaimer: Data and findings provided on this page reflect the content of
this particular Surgeon General's Report. More recent information may exist
elsewhere on the Smoking & Tobacco Use Web site (for example, in fact sheets,
frequently asked questions, or other materials that are reviewed on a regular
basis and updated accordingly).
Page last updated May 27, 2004