10 Surprising Ways You’re Weakening Your Immune System

Smoking and Exposure to Secondhand Smoke

Inhalation of smoke, whether from tobacco or wood, has a direct impact on your immune function.Cigarette smoke promotes the production of numerous pro-inflammatory cytokines and even increases immune hypersensitivity reactions. The harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke weaken innate defenses against pathogens and promote autoimmunity.A 2014 study published in the journal Annals of the American Thoracic Society highlights the fact that cigarette smoke has immunosuppressive effects.Cigarette smoke can affect both innate and adaptive immunity. In fact, children exposed to secondhand smoke suffer from repeated upper respiratory symptoms.If you smoke, you must quit immediately. You must also try to avoid secondhand smoke by making your home a smoke-free zone, as well as only visiting malls, hotels and restaurants that have smoke-free zones.