Smoking Causes Emphysema
Front of Cigarette Pack (representation only) | Back of Cigarette Pack (representation only) |
COPD is the fourth largest killer of Australians and smoking is the most important risk factor for COPD. 2
When you inhale cigarette smoke, it bypasses the filtering action of the nose and damages the tissues of the lungs, leading to overproduction of mucus, among other things. Chronic bronchitis occurs when the airways in your lungs have become narrow and partly clogged with mucus. 3
People who suffer from chronic bronchitis cough more and experience breathlessness for months or even years. They are also more at risk of developing chest infections and pneumonia. 1
Tobacco smoke also damages the air sacs in the lungs. Over time this leads to progressive loss of lung function and a condition known as emphysema. One sign of emphysema is shortness of breath. As the disease progresses, breathing becomes a major effort and may require supplementary oxygen. 3 Most people who smoke around 20 cigarettes per day will have some degree of emphysema. 4
There are about 124,000 Australians living with emphysema and 567,000 Australians have chronic bronchitis, a total of 665,000 Australians with emphysema and/or chronic bronchitis (COPD). 5
Compared to non-smokers, someone who has ever smoked is more than five times as likely to develop emphysema/chronic bronchitis, and current smokers are more than six times as likely to suffer from emphysema/chronic bronchitis. 6
Smoking causes 82% of emphysema/chronic bronchitis among males and 76% among females. 7 However, a more recent report by the U.S. Surgeon General attributes smoking as the cause of more than 90% of deaths due to COPD. 8
Damage from emphysema is not reversible. 1 However, quitting smoking will slow the rate of loss of lung capacity in chronic airways disease. 9
Decided to quit smoking? For help, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or call the Quitline on 131 848 or visit the Quitline web site at www.quitnow.info.au .
- The Australian Lung Foundation, COPD - Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema , Fact Sheet, 2002. http://www.lungnet.com.au
- The COPD - X Plan: Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for the management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 2005. The Australian Lung Foundation. http://www.copdx.org.au/guidelines/index.asp
- American Council on Science and Health. Cigarettes: What the warning label doesn't tell you. Second edition. New York, American Council on Science and Health, 2003.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health consequences of smoking: chronic obstructive lung disease. A report of the Surgeon General . U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Office on Smoking and Health, 1984. http://profiles.nlm.nih.gov/NN/B/C/C/S/_/nnbccs.pdf
- ABS National Health Survey 2001 (AIHW analysis).
- Holman & Armstrong et al. (1990). The quantification of drug caused morbidity and mortality in Australia 1988 . Canberra: AGPS.
- English & Holman et al. (1995). The quantification of drug caused morbidity and mortality in Australia 1992 edition . Canberra. AGPS.
- The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the U.S. Surgeon General . Atlanta, Georgia. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004. http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/sgr/sgr_2004/index.htm
- Smoking Cessation Guidelines for Australian General Practice . 2004 Edition.
- Click the link with the RIGHT mouse button
- Choose "Save Target As.../Save Link As..." depending on your browser
- Select an appropriate folder on a local drive to place the downloaded file
Help with accessing large documents
When accessing large documents (over 500 KB in size), it is recommended that the following procedure be used:
Attempting to open large documents within the browser window (by left-clicking)
may inhibit your ability to continue browsing while the document is
opening and/or lead to system problems.
Help with accessing PDF documents
To view PDF (Portable Document Format) documents, you will need to have a PDF reader installed on your computer. A number of PDF readers are available through the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) Web Guide website.
Reasons to quit
Every cigarette you don’t smoke is doing you good. There are many health benefits to quitting, some of which you’ll be able to notice within hours or days. Similarly, within days, you’ll also notice the extra money in your pocket you’ve saved from quitting.
Ways to quit
Quitting smoking can be one of the most difficult, yet rewarding things a person can do. Most smokers' say they would like to quit, and may have tried at least once. These tips and facts will assist you in quitting for good.
Help and support
Quitting smoking can be hard, but you’re not alone. Quitline and Quit Coach can offer the support and guidance you need to quit for good.
Health Professionals
General practitioners and other health care professionals have an important role to play in assisting patients to quit. This section provides useful information, specific to health care professionals.