Table 1. Main causes of death from tobacco smoking and benefits of stopping.

Cause of death from smoking	Benefit of stopping smoking
Coronary heart disease and stroke	Preventable if cessation occurs in early adulthood; at least partially reversible thereafter
Cancers of the lung and upper airways	Preventable if cessation occurs in early adulthood; further increase in risk prevented thereafter
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease	Preventable if cessation occurs in early adulthood; further decline in lung function slowed thereafter
Miscarriage and underdevelopment of foetus	Preventable if cessation occurs early in pregnancy; risk is mitigated by stopping at any time in pregnancy