The warning signs are out there, but smoking can do more damage to the body than you might think.

Dr. Andrew Mikulaschek, Director of the Lee Memorial Trauma Center says “Obviously with your lungs injured, there's a huge number of issues that occur with the lungs than just smoking in general.”

Smoking can actually shut down many of the body’s defense mechanisms, such as oxygen to the blood. “These people are much more likely to develop pneumonia, which is then compounding problem on top of problem.”

Problems that could spread from your lungs to the lower regions of the body. “Especially your lower extremities. If you don’t have the oxygen carrying capacity in your blood, you just aren’t going to heal that wound.” In some cases, smoking can actually lead to drastic life changing conditions, such as amputations.

“Actually, trauma is a good mechanism for changing one’s life around. Sometimes it’s a wakeup call,” says Dr. Mikulaschek  Lighting up can also affect your physical appearance, too. Eyes can become itchy or watery and wrinkling can start sooner. Some smokers have been known to lose their sense of smell.