This represents one-fifth of all American deaths for that year. Tobacco use is the single largest source of preventable morbidity and mortality in the United States. Tobacco contains more than 3,800 different chemicals. More than 50 of these substances have been identified as carcinogens. Most of them cause irritation of the airways.
Tobacco smoke contains harmful carbon monoxide.
It mixes within the blood's hemoglobin and displaces vital oxygen. Studies on passive smoking link environmental tobacco smoke to lung cancer in adults and respiratory illness in children. Economic costs of smoking in the workplace include increased absenteeism and productivity loss. The University of Iowa. All rights reserved.