© World Health Organization 2005

With the increasing realization of the devastating effects tobacco use has, and the heavy toll it exacts on the health of individuals, the health of the young, the well-being of families and societies, and the economies of countries, the need for a clear comprehensive document covering the full range of the negative effects tobacco and its use has on human health was apparent. This publication sums up and simplifies the answers to the questions that the public, individuals and special groups have, and is intended to fill the wide but often underestimated gap in the public’s knowledge concerning the vast spectrum of tobacco-related health hazards.