Behavior Health and Wellness Blog
Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable disease and death in the U.S., responsible for nearly 1 in 5 cancer diagnoses. All forms of tobacco—cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and snuff—contain dangerous toxins and highly addictive nicotine. Understanding the risks can help you make informed choices about your health. Key Facts About Tobacco Use Tobacco in all forms carries devastating health risks—not just for users but for everyone exposed.
As cannabis use becomes increasingly common around the world, understanding its impact on lung health has become an urgent priority for both physicians and the public. While tobacco smoking has been extensively studied and linked to serious respiratory conditions such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the long-term effects of cannabis smoking remain far less clear. This is due to several factors, including the legal status
Many people still believe marijuana is “safe” or that it’s impossible to get addicted, but research increasingly proves the opposite. Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is emerging as a serious public health issue in the United States and beyond. Unlike casual perceptions that downplay its risks, science shows cannabis can have long-lasting effects on the brain, behavior, and overall health—especially for teens and young adults whose brains are still developing. The
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, impaired lung growth in youth, and heightened risk of respiratory cancers. Secondhand smoke is equally