Approximately 46 million Americans smoke cigarettes. (NY Times, 2/17/93, p.c12)
Over 1,300 Americans die each day from tobacco-related illnesses. (Schlaadt, Wellness: Tobacco & Health, 1992, p.8)
Smoking kills more Americans each year than alcohol, cocaine, crack, heroin, homicide, suicide, car accidents, fires, and AIDS combined. Total smoking-related deaths = 434,000. (Center for Disease Control, 1988)
1 in 7 deaths in America are due to smoking. (Schlaadt, p.7)
Cigarette smoking is responsible for 1/3 of all cancers in N.H. (lung, larynx, esophagus, bladder, cervix) (N.H. Public Health Service Epidemiology Bulletin, 3/92, pp1.)
From 1985 through 1989, there were 2,704 lung cancer deaths in NH. (age-adjusted rate of 45.9/100,000 per yr.)
From 1987 through 1989, 1,797 new cases of lung cancer were diagnosed in NH. (age-adjusted rate 50.7)
Smokers Die Younger
The average increase in death rate among smokers was 61%. (Schlaadtr, p.4)
The death rate of people who smoke less than 1/2 pack/day is 30% higher than non-smokers. (American Cancer Society)
The death rate of people who smoke 1-2 packs/day is 100% higher than non-smokers. (American Cancer Society)
The death rate of people who smoke more than 2 packs/day is 140% higher than non-smokers. (American Cancer Society)
People who smoke 2 or more packs/day decrease life expetancy by more than 8 years. (American Cancer Society)
People who smoke 1-2 packs/day decrease life expetancy by more than 6 years. (Schlaadt, p.7)
Smokers have more illnesses (Ferguson, 1987 in Schladdt, p.15)
Smokers spend 145 million days ill in bed every year.
Smokers have 11 million additional cases of chronic illness each year.
Smokers have 280,000 additional cases of heart disease each year.
Smokers have 1 million additional cases of chronic bronchitis & emphysema each year.
Smokers have 1.8 million additional cases of chronic sinus problems each year.
Smokers have 1 million additional cases of peptic ulcer each year.
Economic Costs
Smoking-related illness cost an estimated $13.8 billion in health care expenses and an additional $25.8 billion in lost wages and other costs. (Schlaadt, p.8)
Smokers miss 81 million days of work per year. (Schlaadt, p. 15)
The costs of smoking in N.H. in 1985 was $217 million for health care & lost productivity due to smoking-related illness. (N.H. Coalition on Smoking and Health)
Workers who smoke have an absenteeism rate 30-40% higher than that of non-smokers
and smokers have a 5% greater chance of hospitalization than non-smokers. (N.H. Coalition)
Each smoker costs his/her employer more than $4,000/year , spending on average $300 extra/smoker each year in insurance claims (N.H. Coalition)
Employers with no smoking policies save at least $500 per smoker/year from replacement of furnishings and equipment. (N.H. Coalition)
Six major cigarette companies spend about $1.5 billion on advertising per year
The U.S. government spends more than $10 million per year to support the tobacco industry, even while it educates people about the dangers of smoking. (Schlaadt, p.8)
Smokers often spend $300-$500 per year on cigarettes. (# of packs/week x cost/pack x 52 weeks = ?) (Krames Communications, 1985).
Secondhand Smoke (Passive Smoking)
Your risk for lung cancer is 30% higher if you are around smoke in your family. (American Cancer Society)
Your risk for disease is 30% higher if you live with a smoker. (Schlaadt, p.15)
Parents who smoke put their young children at greater risk for respiratory infections, ear infections, SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), and an increased likelihood that the child will smoke.
Women Who Smoke
Women who smoke are at greater risk for coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (chronic bronchitis, emphysema), cancer of the lungs, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, mouth cavity, pharynx, and cervix, infertility (25-35%), and wrinkling of skin.
Pregnant women are at greater risk for having a miscarriage, a spontaneous abortion, bleeding during pregnancy, premature delivery, a less healthy baby, or a lower birth weight baby.
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