Cigarette smoking is a major public health problem, and it is the secondary leading risk factor for mortality and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) globally. To achieve the goal of reducing mortality from premature non-communicable diseases by 25% before 2025 proposed by the United Nations, cigarette smoking is one of the major targets. Many prospective cohorts showed cigarette smoking is an independent strong risk factor for stroke. Current smokers have a 2 to 4 times increased risk of stroke compared with nonsmokers or those who have quit for ＞10 years. A meta-analysis showed increased risk (RR = 2.07, 95%CI = 1.82-2.36) of cardiovascular death in people aged ≧60 years. Cigarette smoking is an independent risk factor for both ischemic stroke and subarachnoid hemorrhage and has a synergistic effect on other stroke risk factors, such as hypertension. Second-hand smoke is also of concern with respect to stroke risk. A meta-analysis including 40 studies showed a RR of 1.29 (95%CI = 1.15-1.45) in nonsmokers exposed to environmental tobacco smoke, and the risk was higher in China than other countries. Smoking cessation reduces the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality for smokers. Stroke risk appears to approach that of nonsmokers after ≈10 years of cessation. ＂MPOWER＂ strategies, containing Monitoring tobacco use and prevention policies, Protecting people from tobacco smoke, Offering help to quit tobacco use, Warning about the dangers of tobacco, Enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship, and Raising taxes on tobacco, all may contribute to smoking cessation. Cessation medications, including nicotine gum, lozenge, nasal spray, and patch, bupropion, and varenicline, are effective for helping smokers quit. Smoking cessation intervention should be initiated during hospitalization after acute stroke, and integrated into post-discharge support.