Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to develop goiter because a substance called thiocyanate in cigarette smoke interferes with the body's ability to make use of iodine from food.
definition
Goiter is a thyroid disease that is often easy to spot because it can cause a big swelling in the person's neck. There are several kinds of goiter, which have different causes. One kind is caused by not getting enough of the mineral iodine from food. This kind of goiter is rare in the United States because most people get enough iodine, either from foods that are naturally rich in iodine or from iodized salt. However, this kind of goiter is common in some other parts of the world where the amount of iodine in people's diets is lower.
