A report released on Thursday from US surgeon general Richard Carmona draws a new link between smoking and infirmities such as cataracts, pneumonia, stomach cancer, cervical cancer, pancreatic cancer and periodontitus.

The report emphasizes that harmful chemicals in cigarettes flow through the bloodstream to all of the body?s organs. The habit is linked to myeloid leukemia, abdominal aortic aneurysms and kidney cancer.

Americans lose their lives to smoking every year; the report states about 444,000 Americans die. Men lose 13.2 years off of their lives and women lose 14.5 years because of smoking.

The ramifications of smoking are manifested in other ways. It worsens hip fractures, diabetes-related conditions, infections and affects reproductive capacities.

According to Margie L. Reichwald of the Brown County Health Department, smoking appears to increase a male?s chance of experiencing erectile dysfunction and a woman?s infertility. The surgeon general?s study did not find causal relationships between smoking and erectile dysfunction.

The study also found that cigarettes with less tar or nicotine are no better for the smoker?s health than regular cigarettes.

«There is no safe cigarette, whether it is called ?light,? ultra-light,? or any other name,» Carmona said in a news release.

The habit has impacts beyond one individual?s health.

Smoking decreases worker productivity at a value of $82 billion, according to the report. It also costs $75 billion in medical expenses.