Health Burden

Health Burden

Tobacco use harms nearly all systems in the human body, is associated with almost all types of cancer, and causes many other diseases.

Over 32 000 people died due to tobacco-related illnesses in South Africa in 2021.

The tobacco industry is promoting e-cigarettes as a “healthier” alternative to conventional cigarettes, but there are long-term negative health impacts.

Tobacco has negative health consequences—this page includes sections on the health impacts of tobacco use, ailments caused by cigarette smoking, the estimated annual deaths from tobacco-related causes, the impact of second- and third-hand smoke, health impacts associated with farming tobacco, and the health impact of using e-cigarettes.

To learn more about the data and methods used in this page, click here.

Tobacco use harms nearly all systems in the human body, is associated with almost all forms of cancer, and is responsible for many other diseases.

Estimates show tobacco use increases the risk of:

Coronary heart disease and stroke by 2 to 4 times

Lung cancer by 25 times

Source: US Department of Health and Human Services. (2014)

Smoking-Related

Diseases

Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular Disease

Tobacco users are at greater risk for diseases that affect the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease).

Tobacco use causes stroke and coronary heart disease, which are among the leading causes of death in South Africa.

Even people who smoke fewer than five cigarettes a day can have early signs of cardiovascular disease.

Tobacco use damages blood vessels by making their walls thicken and hence make the blood vessels narrower. This makes the heart beat faster and increases blood pressure. Blood clots can also form.

Blockages in the blood vessels caused by tobacco use can also reduce blood flow to the legs and skin.

Respiratory Disease

Respiratory Disease

Tobacco use can cause lung disease by damaging the airways and the small air sacs (alveoli) found in the lungs.

Lung diseases caused by tobacco use include chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Smokers are 12 to 13 times more likely to die from COPD than nonsmokers.

Cigarette smoking causes most cases of lung cancer.

If one has asthma, tobacco smoke can trigger an attack or make an attack worse.

Cancer

Cancer

Tobacco use can cause cancer almost anywhere in your body:

Bladder

Blood (acute myeloid leukaemia)

Cervix

Colon and rectum (colorectal)

Oesophagus

Kidney and ureter

Larynx

Liver

Oropharynx (includes parts of the throat, tongue, soft palate, and the tonsils)

Pancreas

Stomach

Trachea, bronchus, and lung

Mental Illness and Tobacco Use

Mental Illness and Tobacco Use

Mental illnesses such as attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia are associated with the decision to smoke as well as smoking intensity.

Tobacco use in South Africa is associated with a higher incidence of depressive symptoms.

Nicotine causes the main psychoactive effects of smoking, which may initially alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. However, once addicted to nicotine, the tendency to experience negative emotions is increased.

Individuals with mental illness struggle more than others when attempting to quit smoking.

Nicotine is associated with other substance use disorders, such as addiction to cocaine or marijuana.

Smoking may reduce the effectiveness of medications, such as antidepressants and antipsychotics.

Ailments

Caused by Cigarette Smoking

Health Impacts

of Tobacco Use