Health Effects

Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body.

More than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking. For every person who dies because of smoking, at least 30 people live with a serious smoking-related illness. Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis.

Secondhand smoke exposure contributes to approximately 41,000 deaths among nonsmoking adults and 400 deaths in infants each year. Secondhand smoke causes stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, more severe asthma, respiratory symptoms, and slowed lung growth.

Woman with cancer

Cancer

Tobacco use increases the risk for many types of cancer, such as Lung cancer.

Nurse checking vital signs of patient

Heart Disease

Studies show a direct link between cigarette smoking and coronary heart disease.

Man with tubes delivering oxygen through his nose

COPD

Smoking, including during the teenage years, increases the risk of dying from COPD.

Pregnant woman lying on the grass

Pregnancy

Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk for pregnancy complications.

Related Materials

Fact Sheets
Surgeon General's Reports
Page last reviewed: April 28, 2020