- B E Mitchell: Resident, General Preventive Medicine Residency, Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
Tobacco use continues to occur in epidemic proportions and with it, significant morbidity and mortality. One third of smokers will die prematurely of a smoking-related disease. This article reviews the adverse health effects of tobacco use so that clinicians can be aware of the benefits patients will reap when they stop using this lethal substance.