Tobacco use, particularly cigarette smoking, is a remarkably powerful cause of disease. The toxic components in tobacco smoke have been linked to cancer, heart and lung disease, and have adverse effects on reproduction and the unborn child. Even nonsmokers inadvertently exposed to tobacco smoke are harmed.

The burden of disease cased by smoking is immense. Smoking is the principal cause of lost life for middle-aged persons, and by the year 2030, tobacco is expected to be the single greatest cause of death worldwide, accounting for an estimated 10 million deaths per year. *

The economic cost of smoking for our nation is staggering, nearly $3,400 per smoker per year. Every pack of cigarettes sold in the US costs the nation an estimated $7.18 in medical care costs and lost productivity.

*Excerpts taken from Smoking, Risks, Perceptions, & Policy; Slovic, Paul, 2001