Tobacco facts and statistics indicate that smoking is responsible for over two million deaths annually in the United States. Many of these deaths are the result of premature deaths attributed to tobacco use. Smokers are also more susceptible to chronic illnesses than non-smokers; one of them being respiratory disease, coronary disease, and various types of cancer. Although the number of people that smoke has decreased over the years and there is a ban on advertising especially geared towards young people, studies show that most people start smoking prior to the age of 18.

Tobacco has many elements that are known to be harmful to a person's health, and a large proportion of these substances are known to cause cancer. Due to these poisonous substances and the way it affects a smoker’s skin many smokers appear much older than their true age. Other tobacco facts and statistics indicate that thousands of chemicals enter your body from smoking a single cigarette. Those chemicals include acetone, ammonia, carbon dioxide, lead, nicotine, formaldehyde, shellac, and hydrogen cyanide.

People who smoke have a fifty higher chance of dying prematurely and their life expectancy is 12 years shorter than a non-smoker. Tobacco facts and statistics also show that people in all different age groups die annually from secondhand smoke, and this is especially true for older adults. Young children are also affected by secondhand smoke with proportionally higher rates of chest related illnesses than children in households with non-smokers.

Most adult smokers became addicted prior to the age of 18, with most smokers starting at approximately 12 or 13 years of age. Another statistic indicates that eighty percent of youth that try smoking end up getting addicted. Also, children exposed to secondhand smoke are more apt to develop illnesses compared to homes that are non-smoking. These studies have also shown that early tobacco prevention programs that are taught to children increase the chances of the child or youth remaining smoke-free for their entire life.

We are all very aware of the harmful effects of tobacco. The difficulty arises once one becomes addicted to it. Nicotine, one of its ingredients, is highly addictive. Some believe even more addictive than cocaine. The best solution is to avoid tobacco to begin with and early education is a good foundation for children and young adults. For those already addicted then find the way to quit as soon as possible before the effects of smoking damage your health.