Smoking Harms Every Organ: Doctor Reveals the Global Health Threat Ignored by 1.2 Billion People
Updated 14:06 17 Oct 2026 GMT+1Published 19:01 12 Oct 2025 GMT+1
Dr Jeremy London explained this bad habit does a lot more damage than people tend to realise
A doctor has revealed what he believes the 'worst thing you can do' to your body is - and more than a billion people do it every day.
Despite this bad habit being one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced, it is still unbelievably popular, much to Dr Jeremy London's dismay.
He explained that smoking does a lot more damage than the average person might think, as it impacts almost every organ in the body.
The cardiovascular surgeon, from the US, shares 'easy-to-understand, relatable health information' online in the hopes of inspiring people to take good care of themselves.
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Dr London previously uploaded a clip to his YouTube channel detailing the 'top three preventable risk factors for all-cause mortality' - which he believes are smoking, a poor diet and high blood pressure.
Smoking impacts a lot more than just your lungs (Getty Stock Images)
A lot of folks seem to think smoking only wreaks havoc on your lungs, but when you inhale, the toxic substances packed inside of a cigarette travel through your airways, into your bloodstream and throughout your entire body.
Dr London kicked off the video by describing sparking up a cigarette being 'the single worst thing you can do for your body'.
"It damages nearly every organ system, increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and is responsible for the vast majority of lung cancer deaths," he said.
"Roughly one in five deaths are linked to tobacco use. If you smoke, think long and hard about quitting.
"It's the most powerful step you can take for your health."
The World Health Organisation agrees, as it describes the tobacco epidemic as 'one of the biggest public health threats the world has ever faced'.
According to the WHO, smoking is the cause of more than 7 million deaths annually as well as disability and long-term suffering from tobacco-related diseases - but there are still a whopping 1.2 billion tobacco users worldwide.
Even just one cigarette can take 20 minutes off your life, according to scientific studies.
Simulations have also revealed the impact that smoking and vaping can have if you do it for just a month of your life, and the damage it can do to your lungs, in particular, can be huge.
Dr London said quitting smoking is the 'most powerful step you can take for your health' (Getty Stock Image)
Dr London went on to explain why a poor diet and high blood pressure are two other things that can easily send you to an early grave.
He added: "Diets low in fruits and vegetables, high in trans fats, and ultraprocessed foods contribute to the same proportion of deaths as smoking, mainly from cardiovascular disease.
"Now, food is information for your body. Design a nutritional plan that works for you and be thoughtful about what you put in your mouth.
"And finally, high blood pressure, the silent killer. It affects one in two Americans, and most have no idea. Chronic elevation of the systolic blood pressure, the top number, damages the heart, brain, and kidneys.
"The good news is it's highly modifiable through lifestyle, diet, stress management, and medication when necessary. Be proactive, not reactive."
Featured Image Credit: SEBASTIAN KAULITZKI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Topics: Health, Vaping