About DOH Smoking Cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for a variety of diseases such as chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer , heart disease and stomach ulcers. It is the single most important preventable cause of mortality and morbidity. Secondhand smoke can also cause disease in non-smokers.
Smoking can also place expectant mothers at risk for babies born with low birth weight.
The percentage of adults who regularly smoke cigarettes decreased from 21 percent in 1990 to 18.7 in 1993, and the decline has been steady. Tobacco control programs seem to be working.