Tobacco Products and Their Health Risks
Cigarettes and Secondhand Smoke
Cigarette smoking is the leading preventable cause of death globally, killing one-half of lifetime users prematurely. Smokers lose, on average, ten years of life. Smoking kills almost 6 million people globally each year, while use of the full range of tobacco products kills more than 7 million. This public health crisis is driven by a deadly, highly addictive product that powerful companies – including Philip Morris International and British American Tobacco – aggressively market to young people and other vulnerable groups while opposing policies to reduce use.
E-Cigarettes
E-cigarettes are especially popular among youth and young adults, raising serious concerns about addiction among young people. E-cigarette sales and use have grown rapidly in the last two decades in the U.S. and around the world, fueled by the widespread availability of kid-friendly flavors and aggressive viral marketing. E-cigarettes are not safe—they can contain high levels of addictive nicotine and other harmful chemicals, and the long-term health effects are unknown.
Nicotine Pouches
Despite industry claims that they are intended for use by existing smokers, nicotine pouches are one of the tobacco industry’s latest products to attract new users and keep people, especially young people, addicted to tobacco products. Nicotine pouch sales have skyrocketed in recent years in the United States and globally. Nicotine pouches are available in a wide range of nicotine levels and flavors, easy to conceal, and widely promoted in ways that appeal to young people.
Heated Tobacco Products
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) are one of the tobacco industry’s newest ways to keep people addicted to tobacco and attract new users, including young people. They have been marketed around the world in ways that appeal to youth and sales are growing in a number of international markets. While research on the long-term health impacts of HTPs is still emerging, the products contain both tobacco and nicotine, each of which is harmful.
Other Tobacco Products
Tobacco companies market a wide range of harmful and addictive tobacco products, including cigars, smokeless tobacco products and hookah. Learn more about these products, their health effects and policies to address their use.
Last updated July 6, 2026