Smoking

Smoking Facts and Statistics

Prevalence

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 21% of adults over the age 18 in the United States smoke cigarettes (about 1 in 5 people). Other statistics about smoking include the following:

• About 80% of smokers start before the age of 18.
• Every day nearly 4,000 12–17 year olds in the United States start smoking.
• About 22% of high school students in the United States smoke cigarettes.
• About 8% of middle school student in the United States smoke cigarettes.

Statistics about the Health Effects of Smoking

• The most common causes of death among smokers are cardiovascular (heart) diseases, tobacco-related cancers, and respiratory diseases.
• About 430,000 deaths per year are linked to cigarette smoking.
• In the United States, more people are killed each year by cigarettes than by alcohol, car crashes, suicide, AIDS, homicide, and illegal drugs combined.

Statistics about Secondhand Smoke Effects

• Thirty minutes of secondhand smoke can impair the normal flow of blood to the heart in non-smokers.
• Secondhand smoke is responsible for about 3,000 lung cancer and tens of thousands of heart disease deaths per year in non-smokers.
• Levels of secondhand smoke in restaurants have been found to be 2–5 times greater than those in a home with smokers.
• Secondhand smoke causes between 150,000 and 300,000 lower respiratory infections in children younger than 18 months and results in 7,000–15,000 hospitalizations each year.
• About 1,900–2,700 infants die of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) each year due to secondhand smoke.

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Quit Smoking Facts

• Cigarette sales dropped by an average of 43% in 4 states where strong tobacco control programs were funded and maintained.
• Most successful ex-smokers have tried to quit an average of 7 times before they were successful.
• Smoking withdrawal symptoms usually peak at 3 days and then begin to subside.
• Smokers who also suffer from depression have a more difficult time quitting than smokers who are not depressed.

Sources: All statistics are from the American Cancer Society, the American Lung Association, the American Heart Association, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Smoking, Smoking Facts reprinted with permission from cardiologychannel.com
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