What damage does smoking do to the respiratory track?

Answer 1

smoke decreases the amount of surfactant in your lung. surfactant is the fluid which decreases the surface tension in your lung, prevent it from collapsing and prevent them from edema. surfactant IS important!

Answer 2

Tobacco has tar in it, and that tar coats the lungs and destroys the alveoli. The alveoli are the microscopic air sacks where carbon dioxide is exchanged for oxygen. You can also get a disease called bronchitis.

Answer 3

Smoking has multiple damaging effects to the respiratory tract such as:

- causes lung & throat cancer

- Chronic Bronchitis (makes it very difficult to breath)

- All the inhalants cause damage to the trachea, larynx, and lung function.

- Long term effects include narrowing of the lung airways, increased risk of lung infection, high blood pressure.

see: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-does-smoking-affect-the-respiratory-system.html

Answer 4

Smoking can cause or contribute to a number of serious diseases such as lung cancer, emphysema, and Heart disease, any of which can kill you. It is estimated that half of all cigarette smokers will eventually die of a smoking-related disease.

Answer 5

Smoking has a very harmful effect on the respiratory system and other body systems. The lungs get dirty from the smoke. This impairs their function and can eventually result in a very serious disease called emphysema. The smoke contains carbon monoxide which reduces the capacity of the blood to carry oxygen. The nicotine content causes blood vessels to contract, which is also a problem for oxygen transport. As a result, cigarette smoking contributes to heart disease. Cigarette smoke contains a substance commonly known as tar, or more precisely, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Tar is carcinogenic, and is a major cause of lung cancer. Cigarette smoke contains many other toxic substances as well. It is truly horrible stuff.