Cigarettes <\/a>contain over 7,000-harmful chemicals, including benzene and carbon monoxide to name a few. As a result, over 480,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related illnesses. Many of the chemicals in tobacco smoke remain unstudied due to pressure on the scientific community by tobacco lobbyists \u2013 meaning that smokers have no idea of the toxins they are inhaling into their lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSmoking increases your risk of contracting the bacteria that causes bronchitis, and many smokers experience bouts of chronic bronchitis from time to time, which may last for three to six months or longer. During this infection, they are at high risk of developing a middle ear infection as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Infection of the throat due to bronchitis may spread to the Eustachian tubes, creating a blockage that traps fluids in the middle ear, leading to otitis media infection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n
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