What about electronic cigarettes?
Electronic cigarettes, also known as e-cigarettes, are battery-operated products designed to deliver nicotine, flavor and other chemicals. They turn chemicals, including highly addictive nicotine, into an aerosol that is inhaled.
E-cigarettes have not been fully studied and are not regulated at this time, so consumers currently don’t know the potential health risks of e-cigarettes or how much nicotine or other harmful chemicals are being inhaled during their use.
What are the chances that smoking will kill me?
About half of the people who keep smoking will die because of it. In the United States, tobacco causes nearly 1 in 5 deaths; or about 443,000 premature deaths each year. Smoking is the single most preventable cause of death in our society.
Is second-hand (environmental) tobacco smoke dangerous?
There is no safe level of exposure for second-hand smoke. Inhaling second-hand smoke happens when nonsmokers breathe other people’s tobacco smoke. Second-hand smoke contains the same harmful chemicals that smokers inhale. It’s known to cause cancer and other health problems in nonsmokers. Children and babies are at particular risk. Children who breathe second-hand smoke are more likely to get sick and even die than children who don’t.
Does smoking cause cancer?
Yes, smoking is linked to at least 30% of all cancer deaths in the United States and over 80% of lung cancer deaths. Smoking also causes cancers of the throat, nasal cavity, sinuses, lips, mouth, voice box, swallowing tube and bladder. Smoking has also been linked to the development of cancers of the pancreas, cervix, ovary, colon, kidney, stomach and some types of leukemia. Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco and other types of smokeless tobacco all cause cancer. There is no safe way to use tobacco.