Final answer:
Smoking causes significant health risks and is responsible for about six million deaths a year globally. Up to half of all tobacco smokers may die from smoking-related diseases, highlighting the severity of its impact on health.
Step-by-step explanation:
Smoking is a major cause of preventable death globally. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking causes about six million deaths each year and can cut a long-term smoker's lifespan by as much as 18 years. It is reported that as many as half of all smokers die from tobacco-related illnesses.
Long-term smokers are three times more likely to die before the age of 70 compared to non-smokers. In terms of the specific percentage of deaths related to smoking, the question seems to assume a direct figure. However, if we consider that up to 50% of smokers eventually die due to smoking-related diseases, this is a substantial indication of the risks associated with smoking.
Factors that determine how smoking affects a smoker's health include the number of years of smoking, the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and whether they inhale deeply. Smoking is also the most significant cause of respiratory disease, cardiovascular disease, and is a leading cause of cancer, with lung cancer being the most prevalent among these.