Tobacco use accounts for more preventable diseases and deaths than any other substance in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cigarette smoking leads to over 480,000 deaths per year and causes roughly 1 in 5 US deaths. Over 16 million Americans suffer from tobacco-related health problems.

The deadly effects of tobacco smoking extend to those exposed to second-hand cigarette smoke. It's estimated that 88 million Americans are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke, and roughly 41,000 die because of secondhand smoking related diseases.

Tobacco and the Brain

The nicotine found in cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, etc. is absorbed into the bloodstream with every puff. Nicotine affects the adrenal glands and produces epinephrine (adrenaline) which raises blood pressure, respiration, and heart rate.

Nicotine also releases the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine influences the pleasure centers of the brain, and the increase in dopamine created while smoking affects the brain enough to cause the addictive properties nicotine is well known for. Many smokers aware of the dangers of smoking find it very difficult to quit as their brain has become dependent upon the jolt of pleasure caused by nicotine's influences. Those who do try quitting often become irritable, sleepless and develop attention difficulties. Most tobacco users need the help of some sort of treatment to get them through the worst of their withdrawal symptoms.

Other Health Risks

Outside of the powerful effect on the brain, cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of cancer. An estimated 1 out of every 3 cancers are caused by smoking, and 90 percent of lung cancer cases are smokers. Aside from the risk of cancer, lung problems such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis are common among smokers. Also common among smokers are heart problems such as stroke, heart attack, and vascular disease. Smokeless tobacco users avoid the dangers of lung cancer, but the odds of developing oral cancer are much higher than in non-tobacco users. Tobacco use has also been linked to leukemia, cataracts, and pneumonia.

While nicotine keeps smokers hooked, it is the various carcinogens found in cigarettes that damage the body. Carbon monoxide, tar, formaldehyde, cyanide, ammonia and other dangerous ingredients--all ingredients most would steer clear of--are all present in cigarettes.

Pregnant women who smoke increase the chance of premature birth or low birth weight. In some cases, smoking while pregnant can cause miscarriages and stillborn births. Pregnant women who smoke also put their child at risk for nicotine addiction, and children whose mother smoked while the child was in the womb are more likely to get addicted to smoking in the future.

Secondhand smoke raises the risk of heart disease by 25–30 percent, lung cancer by 20–30 percent, and causes numerous respiratory problems to those regularly around smokers. Children are particularly vulnerable to respiratory infections, ear infections, and other maladies.

Quitting smoking is the only way to avoid the worst of these problems, but smoking cessation is very difficult without some sort of assistance.

Treatments

Research continues to find more effective treatments for smoking cessation, and today there are many ways for smokers to combat their addictions. Behavioral therapies are available; counseling and self-help techniques can help smokers develop the willpower to overcome their addiction. Nicotine patches, gums lozenges, and nasal sprays give smokers a dose of controlled nicotine. The dosage is gradually lowered to help wean the user off of the addictive properties of the drug. The FDA has approved bupropion and varenicline, both non-nicotine containing drugs, for use in helping with easing the withdrawal symptoms of nicotine. Research continues to find more efficient ways of tackling nicotine addiction.