Cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for all forms of stroke. While both the general public and the global healthcare system are aware of the vascular risks associated with smoking, the prevalence of tobacco use has remained largely unchanged over the last quarter of a century. Approximately one in five US adults are classified as regular smokers, with the initiation of smoking typically occurring during the teenage years. Although the increased risk of stroke associated with smoking is generally acknowledged, it is less well recognized that considerable scientific evidence implicates a strong dose-response relationship between smoking and stroke risk. In this article, we summarize the literature regarding smoking-related stroke risk, the dose-response relationship, and the costs of this detrimental habit to both the individual and society as a whole.