Respiratory Care Settings and Smoking Cessation
Smoking is one of the leading causes of respiratory disease, impacting lung health at every stage of life. It is responsible for about 8 in 10 COPD-related deaths in the United States, worsens asthma in both adults and adolescents, and increases the risk for tuberculosis, pneumonia, and chronic bronchitis. Additional consequences include reduced lung function, […]
How Tobacco Use Affects Oral Health
Cigarettes, cigars, hookah, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco all negatively impact oral health, often in ways that are both painful and dangerous. Tobacco use is strongly linked to oral cancers, including those of the mouth, throat, lips, and gums. Cigarettes can cause gum disease, stained teeth, and even tooth loss. Cigars, even without inhaling, can cause […]
Cigar Smoking and Cancer
Cigars and cigarettes may seem similar, but the differences go far beyond size. Cigarettes are typically small, wrapped in paper, and contain less than 1 gram of unfermented tobacco. They’re made to be inhaled and usually smoked in under 10 minutes. In contrast, cigars are made from fermented tobacco wrapped in tobacco leaf, come in […]
Smoking and Heart Disease, Stroke, and Peripheral Artery Disease
Heart disease—including coronary artery disease, stroke, and peripheral artery disease (PAD)—remains the leading cause of death in the U.S., and smoking is a major driver behind it. Plaque buildup in the arteries can lead to chest pain, heart attacks, heart failure, and strokes, while PAD often causes pain and weakness in the limbs. Smoking and […]
How can we prevent tobacco use?
Tobacco use continues to be one of the leading preventable causes of death, not only due to direct smoking but also through secondhand exposure. Since the landmark 1964 Surgeon General’s Report, tobacco control efforts have made major strides—researchers estimate they’ve helped avert 8 million premature deaths and added 2.3 years to male and 1.6 years […]
Preventing Exposure to Secondhand Smoke in the Home
Secondhand smoke poses serious health risks to both children and adults, and there is no safe level of exposure. The home remains the leading source of secondhand smoke exposure, especially for children. To protect your loved ones, make your home and car completely smoke-free, and encourage family members who smoke to seek help quitting. Smoking […]
Cigars Are a Public Health Problem
Cigars—once seen as a niche luxury—are now aggressively marketed to youth, women, and communities of color through flavored products, low prices, and targeted advertising. The tobacco industry has designed and promoted cigars using flavors like cherry and vanilla to mask harsh tobacco, making them appealing to first-time users. From 2009 to 2020, cigar sales rose […]
Menthol Tobacco Products
Menthol is a compound found naturally in peppermint and similar plants, but it can also be made synthetically. In tobacco products like cigarettes, menthol produces a cooling sensation in the throat and lungs, which reduces the harshness of the smoke and makes it easier to inhale—an effect that can increase the likelihood of addiction. Menthol […]
Public Health Strategies for Tobacco Prevention and Control
Commercial tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the U.S., disproportionately affecting marginalized communities. For decades, tobacco companies have strategically targeted youth, low-income communities, and racial and ethnic minorities, increasing access to and appeal of tobacco products. Social factors like poverty, discrimination, and adverse childhood experiences further contribute to […]
Quit Smoking For Better Health
Smoking is incredibly damaging to the body, leading to numerous health problems and significantly increasing the risk of premature death. Cigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the United States, claiming nearly half a million lives annually. The harmful chemicals in cigarettes damage the lungs, heart, and blood vessels, contributing […]