Overview

Definition of Tobacco Tobacco is a plant grown for its leaves, which are smoked, chewed, sniffed for a variety of effects.  It is considered an addictive substance because it contains the chemical nictoine.

The use of tobacco is the leading preventable cause of death in the US, causing more than 400,000 deaths each year and resulting in an annual cost of more than $50 billion in direct medical costs. Annually, smoking kills more people than AIDS, alcohol, drug abuse, car crashes, murders, suicides, and fires---combined! Nationally,5 million years of potential life is lost each year as a result of smoking 80% of people started smoking before the age of 18 years.  Daily, more than 3000 young people under the age of 18 begin smoking. More than 5 million children living today will die prematurely because of a decision they will make as adolescents---the decision to smoke cigerettes.