[Tobacco: ashes, smoke and carbon].

This review discusses the epidemiology, health effects and economic aspects of the tobacco epidemic. Smoking-related disorders have been known for decades and adverse effects of cigarette smoking are well documented. Nevertheless, tobacco use has increased dramatically in our century to become a global pandemic. Tobacco advertising attracts teenagers and encourages them to experiment with an addictive drug. To decrease uptake of smoking by adolescents, tobacco opponents propose advertising bans. They demand better protection for both active and passive smokers. These demands are in obvious contrast to the interests of the tobacco companies. Restriction of tobacco production and marketing could result in a substantial decrease in profits for tobacco manufacturers. Therefore, bills or regulations to control nicotine products are resisted by a strong tobacco lobby, especially in the USA. This article explains the marketing strategies of the tobacco industry and cost calculations of smoking. We describe preventive measures not only to stop adolescents taking up smoking but also to promote successful nicotine cessation.