At least 43 separate chemicals in the smoke inhaled by persons consuming tobacco products have been determined to be carcinogenic. Smoking also causes cancers of the mouth, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, uterus, cervix, kidney, and colon, among others. Smokeless tobacco, including snuff and chewing tobacco, has been shown to cause oral cancer, gum disease and tooth loss. Persons using chewing tobacco are six times more likely to develop cancer of the mouth or hypopharynx and three times more likely to develop cancer of the oropharynx than non-users. These chronic obstructive lung diseases have a profound social impact because of the extended disability of their victims.
Smoking is one of three major independent causes of coronary heart disease.
Smoking is responsible for thousands of deaths from cardiovascular disease, including stroke, heart attack, peripheral vascular disease and aortic aneurysm. Nicotine itself causes cardiovascular problems, including narrowing of blood vessels, increased blood pressure and changes of lipid metabolism, which contribute to myocardial infarctions. Using tobacco products is also linked to a large number of other serious illnesses. The health consequences of smoking among women are of special concern because of the deleterious effect on reproduction. Smoking reduces fertility, increases the rate of miscarriages and stillbirths, retards uterine fetal growth, and results in lower birth weight in infants.