June Russell's Health Facts

Smoking - Immune System/Infections

Using tobacco in any form will decrease the immune function by flooding the body with free radicals. (“Maximum Immunity,” Bottom Line Secrets, Oct. 2001)

Smokers are 4 times more likely than nonsmokers to get life-threatening blood infections or meningitis. This increased risk of infections lasts for 10 years after quitting. We think of smoking causing problems long in the future, but smokers had a much higher rate of immediate infection. (“Smoking’s dangers are immediate, as well as long term,” AP HealthCentral, March 2000)

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