What are some of the short-term side effects of smoking?

Answer 1

Some of the short-term side effects of smoking (which can become chronic) include:

1. irritated eyes from smoke rising in front of the face
2. nicotine-coated facial skin (from smoke)
3. irritated nostrils, at times
4. short-term acute sinus infections
5. bad breath; smoker's breath
6. sore throat, especially in the morning
7. morning cough
8. morning congestion
9. intermittent wheezing
10. shortness of breath during even mild exertion
11. constriction of blood vessels which reverses every hour that the person does not smoke
12. transient, occasional high blood pressure
13. nervousness from lack of nicotine in-between cigarettes
14. burned fingers occasionally
15. burned skin from a flying ash when outside on a windy day
16. brown stains on fingers (heavy smokers)
17. heart-burn if the nicotine bothers the stomach
18. temporary "burned smell" in nostrils or in lungs when wind pushes exhaled smoke back into the face of a smoker (note: this can turn into bronchitis)

Incidental short-term side effects of smoking:

1. Spilled ashtrays
2. burned clothing from a flying or dropped ash
3. burned upholstery or carpeting from a flying or dropped ash
4. tobacco droppings in pockets of clothing
5. a passing sulfur smell if matches are used
6. a more dusty house
7. short-lived embarrassment when non-smokers try to humiliate the smoker
8. short-lived anger toward non-smokers who try to humiliate the smoker
9. less money each month
10. a daily incremental feeling of powerlessness over the addiction
11. Short-lived anxiety when the smoker thinks he lost or forgot to bring his cigarettes
12. short-lived anxiety and irritation when the smoker's lighter fails to light and no one has a light to lend
13. boiling irritation when confronted with "No smoking anywhere on this property" signs, when alcoholics can sit with an open bottle and drink on the same property
14. short bursts of shame when others inflict shaming comments
15. short bursts of embarrassment or irritation/anger when non-smokers cough or do fake coughing to try to influence or control a smoker's behavior (worse when done by strangers or ex-smokers)