GAAD Guide to Drugs Tobacco Smoking tobacco cigarettes is the most common cause of preventable death and disease in the United States. 400,000 Americans die each year due to smoking.
Tobacco smoke contains nicotine, an addictive drug, as well as thousands of other substances.
Many of these are toxic pollutants and cancer-causing substances. Almost all smokers were addicted as children. During the withdrawal phase the user may experience irritability, difficulty concentrating, hostility, anxiety, depression, restlessness and weight gain. Since nicotine constricts blood vessels, the user may develop heart disease. 170,000 Americans die each year from smoking-related heart disease.