So what causes acid reflux and GERD? There are many different GERD and acid reflux causes, but one of the biggest (if not the main cause) is smoking. If you smoke, you will make your GERD worse, whether or not you develop respiratory symptoms. This is so important to understand that if you don’t want to stop smoking, there’s no point in reading on any further. You are a lost cause, and any treatment you have for GERD will probably be nullified by your cigarette habit. You cannot continue to smoke and expect to have your symptoms relieved.

Smoking not only increases the acid production by your stomach, it will also help to relax that vital gastro-esophageal sphincter. Worse, if you continue to smoke, you will steeply increase your chances of converting the chronic inflammation in your lower esophagus into cancer. The sooner you give up cigarettes and tobacco, the better your chances of your symptoms disappearing and your survival into a happy and healthy old age.