The paper presents the information about the tobacco products (cigarettes, rolled tobacco, pouch, cigars and non-commercial products) available in different countries of the world and the methods of their application. The popularity of smoking among the youth and adults as well as the differences resulting from tobacco smoking depending on the sex has been discussed. A particular attention was paid to the fact that the age of tobacco initiation is earlier and earlier, and also, that the number of smoking women, especially in the developing countries is growing. The growing significance of China, the main tobacco manufacturer, and China National Tobacco Corporation as the largest tobacco concern in the world, were indicated. The costs related to tobacco smoking, which are borne by the smoking person and the whole society was presented.