Smoking, Alcohol, and Your Body

How Smoking Affects Your Body

Smoking doesn’t just hurt your lungs. It affects almost every organ in your body. Here’s how:

1. Lungs and Breathing

   Smoking damages the airways and lung tissue. Over time, this can lead to breathing problems, chronic cough, and diseases like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and lung cancer.

2. Brain and Mood

   Alcohol slows down the brain’s activity. This can affect your judgement, coordination, and emotions. Long-term use increases the risk of anxiety, depression, and memory issues.

3. Heart Health

   While some believe a small amount of alcohol might help the heart, heavy drinking increases blood pressure, weakens the heart muscle, and raises the risk of stroke.

4. Cancer Risk

   Alcohol is linked to cancers of the mouth, throat, liver, breast, and colon. The more you drink, the greater the risk.

What Happens When You Quit or Cut Back

It’s never too late to make a change. Here’s what happens when you stop smoking or reduce alcohol:

• Breathing improves within weeks of quitting smoking

• Your heart becomes stronger and circulation improves

• Your sense of taste and smell return

• The liver begins to repair itself when you stop drinking

• Your sleep improves and energy levels go up

• Mental clarity and mood often get better

You might also notice clearer skin, fewer headaches, and even some weight control.

Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol might seem hard at first, but you do not have to do it alone. Support groups, counselling, nicotine replacement options, or speaking to your doctor can help. Even cutting back a little can start improving your health.

Your body works hard for you every day.

Taking care of it by making better choices, like smoking less or drinking more mindfully, can lead to a longer, stronger, and healthier life.

Start with one step. Your future self will thank you.