Nearly one-fifth of all deaths from cardiovascular disease are attributable to smoking. Damage to the lining cells of the lung causes chronic bronchitis which is manifested by chronic cough productive of increased amounts of sputum. Other damage to the supporting structure of the lung causes emphysema. This results in progressive shortness of breath, disability and finally death from respiratory failure. Tobacco is also responsible for the death of many people from cigarette related fires each year.
Cigarettes are responsible for the loss of many pregnancies via miscarriage or stillbirth.
Environmental tobacco smoke is also a prominent cause of SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome. Tobacco use is the single most important preventable cause of human disease and death. The estimated number worldwide is between 8 and 10 million deaths. If there is no effective tobacco control in the near future, we can expect approximately one billion tobacco-related premature deaths during the coming century.