Tobacco

Tobacco use is a major public health problem. It is the leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States.

Smoking cigarettes is the most common way that people use tobacco. Other tobacco products are:

• Chewing tobacco ("snuff" or "dip")
• Cigars
• Hookah tobacco
• Pipe tobacco
• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) or vapes

Tobacco use causes cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and many other serious health problems. Quitting tobacco can add years to your life.

Secondhand Smoke
Secondhand smoke is the smoke that comes from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke breathed out by smokers. Secondhand smoke can lead to some of the same health problems for non-smokers as smokers - like heart disease and lung cancer. Secondhand smoke is also very harmful for babies and children. It can cause serious asthma attacks, respiratory illness, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

You Can Quit
Many tobacco users also have mental health conditions, substance use disorders, or both. This can make quitting tobacco harder – but quitting is so important for better health and wellness. Most people want to quit smoking or using tobacco for good. You can quit with the right help. Find out more about getting help with quitting tobacco.