Tobacco is responsible for 17% of all female deaths in the United States.

Most deaths attributable to tobacco are from lung cancer, coronary heart disease, and chronic airway obstruction.

Women who smoke are more likely to develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than their male counterparts.

Females appear to be more sensitive to second-hand smoke than males.

Men and women may start smoking for different reasons. Men report starting to smoke to be more energetic and alert, whereas women start smoking for stress reduction.

When women smoke and drink alcohol, the nicotine appears to enhance the effects of alcohol. In men, the nicotine appears to dilute some of the sedating and intoxicating effects of alcohol.

Although high school girls and boys use tobacco products at approximately equal rates, among those who do not smoke, girls were 54% more likely than boys to report that they had considered smoking.

Women are less successful than men in quitting smoking, although they join smoking cessation groups more often than men for social support.

Women experience more severe withdrawal symptoms than men when quitting smoking.

Girls born to mothers who smoke have worse lung function compared to boys.