Smoking and the Digestive System

Smoking can harm your digestive system in a number of ways. Smokers tend to get heartburn and peptic ulcers more often than nonsmokers. Smoking makes those conditions harder to treat. Smoking increases the risk for Crohn's disease and gallstones. It also increases the risk for more damage in liver disease. Smoking can also make pancreatitis worse. In addition, smoking is linked to cancer of the digestive organs, including the head and neck, stomach, pancreas, and colon. Researchers don't know if vaping (electronic cigarettes) harms the digestive system.

Smoking and heartburn

The stomach makes acidic juices that help you digest food. If these juices flow backward into your esophagus, or food pipe, they can cause heartburn. They can also cause a condition called GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease). The esophagus is protected from these acids by the esophageal sphincter. This is a muscular valve that keeps fluids in your stomach. But smoking weakens the sphincter. Smoking also allows stomach acid to flow backward into the esophagus.

Smoking and peptic ulcers

Smokers are more likely to develop peptic ulcers. Ulcers are painful sores in the lining of the stomach or the beginning of the small intestine. Ulcers are more likely to heal if you stop smoking. Smoking also raises the risk for infection from Helicobacter pylori. This is a bacteria commonly found in ulcers.

Smoking and liver disease

The liver normally filters alcohol and other toxins out of your blood. But smoking limits your liver’s ability to remove these toxins from your body. If the liver isn’t working as it should, it may not be able to process medicines. Studies have shown that when smoking is combined with drinking too much alcohol, it makes liver disease worse.

Smoking and Crohn’s disease

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease. This disease is an autoimmune disorder of the digestive tract. For reasons that are not clear, it's more common among smokers than nonsmokers. Although there are many ways to help keep Crohn’s flares under control, it has no cure. Smoking can also make it harder to control Crohn's disease and its symptoms.

Smoking and diseases of the colon

Smoking is one of the major risk factors for colon cancer. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths. Routine screenings, such as a colonoscopy, can find small, precancerous growths called polyps in the lining of the colon.

Smoking and gallstones

Some research suggests that smoking increases the risk of developing gallstones. Gallstones form when liquid stored in the gallbladder turns into material that resembles stones. These can range in size from a grain of sand to a pebble.

Smoking and cancer of the digestive system

Smoking is a risk factor for mouth, lip, and voice box cancer. It also raises the risk for cancer of the esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, colon, and rectum.

The bottom line

If you smoke, make a plan to quit. Get medical help to stop smoking. Medicines and nicotine replacement therapy can help. Giving up smoking will lower your risk for lung cancer and heart disease. It will also reduce your risk for other digestive disorders.