Tobacco causes one of every five deaths in the U.S. and is the leading cause of death.
About one out of every four people in the U.S. are smokers. About one out of every four people in the U.S. are former smokers. If you smoke, you probably started when you were a teenager. Health Risks Smoking increases your risk of cancer, heart attack, stomach ulcers, emphysema and increased risk of amputation from bad blood vessel disease in your legs. Smoking can cause damage to your unborn child.