Observational studies have suggested that different chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) have differing relationships to smoking, but no randomized controlled trial has been conducted to examine this topic. In this article, we review available evidence concerning the relationship between smoking and each type of CKD in the general population as well as in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HT), primary glomerulonephritis and kidney transplants. There is good evidence of a relationship between smoking and CKD in patients with IgA nephropathy and kidney transplant recipients, but not in patients with DM or HT. Interestingly, it has been reported that the effect of smoking on CKD progression varies depending on the CKD stage. This variation might indicate a cumulative effect of smoking, possibly through oxidative stress. A better understanding of the relationship between smoking and CKD would be useful for nephrologists.