Smoking is bad for your health no matter how old you are.
Smokers are more likely to die at a younger age than nonsmokers. The most common diseases caused by smoking are:
- heart disease
- stroke
- lung cancer
- emphysema
- chronic bronchitis
These diseases can kill you and restrict your enjoyment of life while you are alive. In addition to life threatening disease, female smokers are more likely to have wrinkles, yellow teeth, gum disease and cataracts.
Older women who smoke have additional concerns…
- Menopause may begin at a younger age and you have more severe symptoms.
- After menopause, increased risk of osteoporosis, decreased bone density, and hip fracture.
- Greater risk of rheumatoid arthritis.
For more information, see: Women and Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General, 2006.