Nicotine can kill brain cells and stop new ones forming in the hippocampus, a brain region involved in memory, says a French team. The finding might explain the cognitive problems experienced by many heavy smokers during withdrawal, they say. ... Cell death also increased.

What does smoking do to the brain cells?

New research suggests a direct link between smoking and brain damage. Scientists have found that a compound in tobacco provokes white blood cells in the central nervous system to attack healthy cells, leading to severe neurological damage.

Does smoking destroy cells?

Chemicals in tobacco smoke cause inflammation and cell damage. The body makes white blood cells to respond to injuries, infections, and cancers. White blood cell counts tend to stay high while a person continues to smoke, as the body is constantly trying to fight against the damage being caused by smoking.