One of the major side effects of smoking is that it not only affects those who smoke but also those who inhale tobacco smoke from the environment as opposed to directly from cigarette, known as passive smoking. Passive smoke contains all the same carcinogenic and toxic chemicals that the smoker inhales and indeed may be more harmful than active smoking as when a smoker inhale some harmful chemicals get filtered due to filter in cigarette but what goes in surrounding environment is unfiltered. The effects of passive smoking has been observed in even unborn children.

Quitting smoking is the single most important step which can extend the life of smoker and that of his family. Smoking cessation programs are one of the most cost effective of all the medical interventions.

These programs focus on preventive aspects of disease that is those in whom disease has not developed or to prevent further damage in those in whom it has already occurred. Smoking is a disease which starts years before it manifests itself into something which can be diagnosed and addressed. The ideal goal of such programs is to prevent adolescents from getting into the habit of smoking. Reducing the number of adults who smoke will reduce the number of children who will start to smoke !!