Tobacco smoke damage called 'immediate'

WASHINGTON, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Tobacco smoke, even from occasional smoking or second-hand smoke, causes immediate damage to the body that can lead to illness or death, a U.S. report says.

The report, released Thursday by U.S. Surgeon General Regina M. Benjamin, says cellular damage and tissue inflammation from tobacco smoke are immediate and repeated exposure weakens the body's ability to heal the damage, a release by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported.

"The chemicals in tobacco smoke reach your lungs quickly every time you inhale causing damage immediately," Benjamin said in releasing the report. "Inhaling even the smallest amount of tobacco smoke can also damage your DNA, which can lead to cancer."

Tobacco smoke contains a deadly mixture of more than 7,000 chemicals and compounds, of which hundreds are toxic and at least 70 cause cancer, the report says, noting that one in three cancer deaths in the Unites States is tobacco-related.

"This report makes it clear -- quitting at any time gives your body a chance to heal the damage caused by smoking," the surgeon general said. "It's never too late to quit, but the sooner you do it, the better."