Medical institutions around the world have concluded that cigarette smoking is related to many health problems. A recent study showed that smokers have a very high risk of acquiring lung cancer than non smokers. Major problems related to cigarette smoking include cancer of the throat, lung cancer, oral cancer, various lung problems like emphysema, chronic smoker's cough, general oxygen depletion, prematurely wrinkled skin, bloodshot eyes, lack of endurance and stamina, loss of libido and loss of appetite.

Nicotine is the most predominant stimulant and active ingredient in cigarettes. Nicotine is highly addictive, and children and pets may even die by eating cigarette butts and cigarettes. The tobacco smoke contains toxic and carcinogenic compounds like radon and radium-226, which are known to be related to lung cancer.

Another serious health disorder related to cigarette smoking is emphysema. It is characterized by loss of lung tissue, destruction of the structures supporting the alveoli, and the destruction of capillaries feeding the alveoli. As a result, the airways collapse during expiration and cause the air to be trapped in the lungs, an obstructive form of lung disease.

Smoking is more dangerous to women, with smoking causing prematurely wrinkled skin. It is much more dangerous for pregnant women. Extreme cases of smoking may cause miscarriages. If a woman continues smoking during pregnancy, there are chances that the child may be exposed to passive smoking. One symptom of women smoking during pregnancy is underweight children.

Passive smoking is another increasing problem of interest among the common public. It occurs when the exhaled smoke from a smoker's cigarette is inhaled by other people around the smoker. Cigarette smoke contains tar, which is known to be more dangerous than the nicotine in the cigarettes.