As smoking has gained worldwide importance, there is an urgent need to know smoking facts.

• Tobacco smoke contains nicotine which is an addictive and harmful drug and reaches brain within 10 seconds of inhaling it.
• Smoking kills over 440,000 people in the United States, 106,000 people in the United Kingdom and 990,000 people in India every year.
• Smoking has been recognized as the most significant source of premature mortality and preventable morbidity across the world.
• Cigarettes contain 43 known carcinogens and more than 4000 harmful chemicals.
• A major chemical component in urine – “urea” is added in cigarettes to enhance flavor.
• Cigarette is the most “buy and sell” product on the planet and one of the worlds growing industries.
• According to a research study at the 14th World Conference on Health, 250 million women and 1billion men use tobacco every day around the world.
• Before the age of 18 years, most smokers smoke their first cigarettes.
• The second major cause of death worldwide is smoking.
• Among 6.6 billion people, 1.3 billion are smokers.
• Kids are inclining towards smoking at the alarming rate of 4,000 a day in the United States, and 90,000 to 100,000 a day worldwide.
• Globally, one in five teenagers smokes cigarettes.
• The life span of a teenager can be increased by 20 years if smoking is avoided.
• The tobacco smoking contributes to 44.9% and 56.4% of cancers in women and men respectively.
• The American brands Kent, Camel, Kool, Marlboro own approximately 70% of the world’s cigarette market.
• Ex-smokers have developed good health than current smokers.
• Stopping smoking saves money. A person can save over $700 per year by quitting smoking.
• Light cigarettes claiming “low tar” is as harmful to the body as normal cigarettes.
• The chances of teenagers getting hooked on cigarettes increases significantly if their parents smoke.
• 39% of all smoking deaths are accountable by women.
• Out of 10 people dying by lung cancer, 8 cases are directly related to smoking.