How Tobacco Affects Your Body

Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, harming nearly every organ in the body and affecting the health of those around you.

The Toll of Tobacco

  • Total Impact: More than 16 million Americans live with a smoking-related disease.
  • Annual Deaths: Smoking and secondhand smoke cause over 480,000 deaths annually—nearly 1 in 5 U.S. deaths.
  • Economic Burden: Smoking increases healthcare costs and work absenteeism.

Major Health Risks

[Image of the effects of smoking on the human body]

Primary Diseases

  • Cancer: Increased risk for various types throughout the body.
  • Respiratory: Lung diseases like COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease).
  • Cardiovascular: Significant risk for heart disease and stroke.
  • Metabolic: Higher risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes.

Additional Risks

  • Reproductive Health: Harmful effects on fertility and pregnancy.
  • Vision & Immunity: Linked to certain eye diseases and immune system problems like rheumatoid arthritis.
  • General Health: Overall reduction in physical wellbeing and fitness.

Danger: Secondhand Smoke

Exposure to secondhand smoke contributes to over 40,000 deaths in nonsmoking adults and 400 deaths in infants every year.

  • Adults: Can cause coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer.
  • Children: Increases risk of asthma attacks, respiratory infections, ear infections, and SIDS.

The Benefits of Quitting

Quitting smoking is one of the most important actions you can take to improve your life expectancy and health quality. Benefits include:

  • Immediate reduction in the risk of premature death.
  • Decreased risk for heart disease, cancer, and COPD.
  • Better health for your family by eliminating secondhand smoke exposure.

Treatment options—including counseling and medication—are available. Reach out to your healthcare provider for free resources to help you quit.