Cigarette smoking can adversely affect health both directly and indirectly. One key concern is that cigarettes contain various levels of the chemical nicotine, a highly addictive substance.

Although the use of tobacco products can be highly addictive, there are a number of programs and strategies available for quitting successfully. Generally, a smoking cessation program should include several components.

There are two primary areas of legislative concern with regard to cigarette smoking. The first area of concern has to do with the regulation of tobacco farming, as well as of cigarette manufacturing, labeling, distribution, advertising, promotion, and availability.

Both cigarette smoking and chewing smokeless tobacco deliver an immediate dose of nicotine into the bloodstream. Since nicotine is usually both physically and psychologically addictive, attempts to discontinue tobacco product use can be extremely difficult and involve significant withdrawal symptoms.

A lighted cigarette produces three kinds of smoke, two of which may pose a significant health hazard for people nearby. The first category of smoke is that inhaled by the smoker, accounting for about 25 percent of the cigarette's total nicotine.

Chewing tobacco, also known as 'smokeless' or 'spit' tobacco, can be detrimental to the health of the user in numerous ways. Generally, a pinch or wad of this substance is inserted in between the cheek and teeth, between the lips and gums, or below the tongue.

Cigarette smoking during pregnancy may cause a variety of significant health problems for the baby, some of which may be fatal during infancy. Overall, babies born to smoking mothers are generally more likely to be significantly underweight and premature.