Female smokers have an increased risk (compared to non-smokers) of:
- Lung cancer – 12 times
- Esophageal cancer – 10 times
- Laryngeal cancer – 18 times
- Cervical cancer – 2 times
- Heart attack – 3 times
- Strokes – 5 times
Also: peptic ulcer, cataract, menstrual bleeding, dysmenorrhea, infertility, early menopause, osteoporosis, depression and urinary incontinence.
A pregnant smoker has an increased risk of:
- Ectopic (2 times)
- Elimination
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Poor intrauterine growth
- Prematurity (40% chance)
- Abnormalities such as cleft lip and limb malformations
- Decreased hearing of the infant
- Reduction in the quality and quantity of breast milk
- Attention deficit disorder in children, especially boys
- Sudden infant death syndrome
In Greece, the percentage of female smokers is 47% in the 25-34 age group, 38% in the 35-44 age group and 22% in the 45-54 age group. Smoking is clearly more common among women with lower education and social status. Regular smokers up to the age of 35 will live 8 years less.
Lung cancer, far more common than breast cancer, causes most women’s cancer deaths. Women for unknown reasons develop addiction much easier than men and stop smoking with much more difficulty.
