As smoke progresses towards the bronchi, it releases harmful chemicals that bind along the bronchi, causing smokers to cough chronically. “Smokers are 10 times more likely to get lung cancer and emphysema than nonsmokers” (How Smoking Affects Your Body). Halfway through the journey, the smoke travels along the blood vessels as the heart fights fiercely to pump blood through the system due to the nicotine. “40% of men who are heavy smokers will die before reaching retirement age, compared to only 18% of non-smokers.” (How Smoking Affects Your Body) Considering the fact that smoking leads to bad breath and tooth decay, self-esteem will be affected by the fact that they are insecure about their physique