Tobacco Use

Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and illness in the United States and around the world. Cigarette smoking is the most common form of tobacco use. The health risks of tobacco use include increased mortality and morbidity. Millions of people use tobacco products and have difficulty giving up these products because they contain nicotine—a powerful, addictive drug. Behavioral, cognitive, and pharmacological treatments are available to help people abstain from tobacco use. However, it is difficult to abstain and avoid relapse. Therefore, prevention remains the most important approach to avoid health risks associated with tobacco use.