Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable disease, disability, and death in the United States. Each year, cigarette smoking is responsible for over 480,000 deaths, including around 41,000 nonsmoking adults and 400 infants who succumb to the dangers of secondhand smoke. While the number of adult smokers has significantly decreased over the past fifty years, as of 2019, approximately 34 million U.S. adults still smoke cigarettes. Alarmingly, in 2020, 4.5 million middle and high school students in the U.S. used some form of tobacco product. Smoking poses significant health risks, with substantial disparities in tobacco use persisting across different population groups, including variations by race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and geographic regions, highlighting the ongoing need for awareness and prevention efforts.
Economic Burden
“Smoking-related illness in the United States costs over than $300 billion each year—about $225 billion for direct medical care for adults and more than $156 billion in lost productivity, including $5.6 billion in lost productivity due to secondhand smoke exposure.” -CDC
Cigarette smoking remains high among certain groups, including:
- Adults with lower education levels
- Adults living below the poverty level
- Adults with mental health or substance use disorders
- Men
- Adults with a disability/limitations
- American Indian and Alaskan Native adults
- Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual adults
- Adults who are uninsured or who have medicaid
- Adults living in the south and midwest
Quitting smoking is one of the most impactful decisions you can make for your health and well-being. By choosing to live a tobacco-free lifestyle, you not only reduce your risk of serious diseases and health complications, but you also contribute to a healthier environment for your loved ones and community. The journey to quit smoking may be challenging, but with support and determination, you can achieve a healthier, smoke-free life. Embrace the opportunity to break free from tobacco and invest in a future where your health and vitality come first.
*By increasing the reach and accessibility of smoking cessation messages, the Tips® campaign addresses health disparities and aims to promote health equity.*
不要吸烟，过健康的生活 – Don’t smoke, live a healthy life
Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/policy/polaris/healthtopics/tobacco/index.html
