The document discusses the harmful effects of smoking on health and the environment. It defines cigarettes and outlines their history. Cigarettes contain over 4000 chemicals, including 60 carcinogens. The document examines why people smoke and the harmful impacts of smoking, such as increased risk of cancer, heart disease, and stroke. Smoking also pollutes the air, soil, and water. Finally, the document urges stopping smoking, noting health improvements that occur after quitting such as reduced heart attack risk within 20 minutes to 2 weeks and lower cancer risk within 10 to 15 years.