More than 46 million American adults smoked in 2009, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which equates to one out of five people. Cigarette smoking and tobacco use are voluntary activities, meaning that smoking is one of the most preventable causes of death in the country, says the American Cancer Society.
Deaths
Tobacco use causes nearly one in five deaths in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, which is approximately 443,000 people per year. This is more than alcohol, car accidents, suicides, AIDS, homicide and illegal drugs combined. About half of people who smoke will die from cigarette use. Data collected by the CDC from 1995 to 1999 found that male smokers lost an average of 13.2 years of their life and female smokers lost 14.5 years of their life because of smoking cigarettes.
Cancer
A significant amount of deaths from cigarette smoking are due to cancer. Thirty percent of cancer deaths can be attributed to cigarettes. Not only is it responsible for nine out of 10 lung cancer deaths -- the leading cause of cancer deaths and one of the hardest cancers to treat, according to the American Cancer Society -- it also can increase risk of 11 other types of cancer, such as bladder, stomach, esophagus and larynx. A man who smokes increases his chance of developing lung cancer 23 times, while a woman increases her chances of getting lung cancer 13 times.
Other Health Problems
Cancer is not the only concern for a smoker -- it can also cause emphysema, heart attacks and strokes. It can cause coronary heart disease, the No. 1 cause of death in the United States, as well as peripheral vascular disease because smoking narrows blood vessels and reduced circulation. About 8.6 million people suffer from at least one chronic disease because of a history of smoking, according to the CDC. It can even cause sexual impotence in men and harm reproductive health in women. Cigarette use has also been linked to gum disease, cataracts and hip fractures; it can also make pneumonia and asthma worse.
Secondhand Smoke
Cigarette smoking does not just harm the smoker -- it can also cause health problems in those that inhale secondhand smoke. In addition to causing cancer, including lung cancer, secondhand smoke can cause heart disease, as well as less-serious problems such as coughing, phlegm, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Secondhand smoke is particularly problematic in children. Because their bodies are still growing, the carcinogens harm babies and young children more than adults, according to the National Cancer Institute. Babies whose mothers smoke while they are pregnant, as well as after the baby is born, are more likely to die from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. School-aged children are more likely to suffer from asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia and ear infections when exposed to secondhand smoke.
