No more smoke and mirrors

Smoking is a habit shared by over 1bn people globally. People turn to smoking for various reasons – to cope with stress and anxiety, to ‘fit in’ or to feel relaxed and unwind. However, it is generally well-known that the habit has aggressive side-effects on the body.

As well as being responsible for more than 70 per cent of lung cancer cases, smoking can cause cancer of the mouth, bowel, stomach and oesophagus. Smoking can be detrimental to oral health and is linked to a higher risk of developing periodontal disease, as well as tooth staining and bad breath. Those who smoke may also find that it ages the skin prematurely – and in an era where body and image concerns have become increasingly prevalent, some people may turn to cosmetic treatment in order to address any perceived imperfections and to boost self-esteem.