Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. More deaths are caused each year by tobacco use than by all deaths from human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), illegal drug use, alcohol use, motor vehicle injuries, suicides and murders combined.

The World Health Organization estimates that tobacco caused 100 million deaths over the course of the 20th century. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention describes tobacco use as "the single most important preventable risk to human health in developed countries and an important cause of premature death worldwide."

Looking for a Reason to Quit?

Smoking cigarettes…

• Causes coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States. Cigarette smokers are two to four times more likely to develop coronary heart disease than nonsmokers.
• Approximately doubles your risk for stroke.
• Causes reduced circulation by narrowing the blood vessels. People who smoke have a much greater risk of developing peripheral vascular disease than nonsmokers.
• Increases your risk of developing lung cancer. The risk is about 23 times higher among men who smoke cigarettes and about 13 times higher among women who smoke cigarettes, compared with never smokers.
• Increases the risk for many types of cancer, including cancers of the lip, oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, pancreas, larynx (voice box), lung, uterine cervix, urinary bladder and kidney.

Smokeless tobacco…

• Contains 28 cancer-causing agents.
• Is associated with recession of the gums, gum disease and tooth decay.
• Increases your risk for preeclampsia, premature birth and low birth weight if you use while pregnant.
• Causes reduced sperm count and abnormal sperm cells in men.
• Contains three to four times the amount of nicotine as a cigarette.