How Does Smoking Affect Your Airways

When you smoke, the cells that produce mucus in your lungs and airways grow in size and number. As a result, the amount of mucus increases and thickens. Your lungs cannot effectively clean out this excess mucus. So, the mucus stays in your airways, clogs them, and makes you cough.

How does smoking affect your lungs and airways?

Smoking can cause lung disease by damaging your airways and the small air sacs (alveoli) found in your lungs. Lung diseases caused by smoking include COPD, which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Cigarette smoking causes most cases of lung cancer.

Does smoking cause inflamed airways?

Smoking is the main risk factor in the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is characterised by chronic respiratory symptoms and airway obstruction. Pathological changes in the lungs include: increased inflammation, fibrosis of the airway wall, and destruction of alveolar attachments.