These deaths are largely due to smoking. In addition to increasing the risk of lung cancer, tobacco use is a risk factor for cancers of the cervix, mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, pancreas, bladder, stomach, and some leukemias. Each year approximately 34,000 deaths from ischemic heart disease among women are attributed to smoking. In addition, about 8,000 deaths from stroke among women are attributed to smoking. Some studies suggest that smoking cigarettes dramatically increases the risk of heart disease among premenopausal women who are also taking birth control pills.
Tobacco use has a damaging effect on women's reproductive health.
Smoking is associated with complications of pregnancy, early menopause, and reduced fertility. According to the Office of the Surgeon General, smoking is probably the most important modifiable cause of poor pregnancy outcomes among women in the United States. Tobacco use is associated with an increased risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, and infant death, and is a cause of low birth weight in infants. Tobacco use during pregnancy slows fetal growth, often causing babies to have health problems as a result of low birth weight. The risk is somewhat less for infants whose mothers stop smoking during pregnancy and resume smoking after delivery.