Report Expands List of Diseases Caused by Smoking
The 960-page report on smoking in the United States by U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona shows smoking to be even more dangerous than most people had previously thought.
"We've known for decades that smoking is bad for your health, but this report shows that it's even worse than we knew," Dr. Carmona said. "The toxins from cigarette smoke go everywhere the blood flows. I'm hoping this new information will help motivate people to quit smoking and convince young people not to start in the first place."
According to the report, smoking kills an estimated 440,000 Americans each year. On average, men who smoke cut their lives short by 13.2 years, and female smokers lose 14.5 years. The economic toll exceeds $157 billion each year in the United States – $75 billion in direct medical costs and $82 billion in lost productivity.
The report details a causal relationship between smoking and numerous diseases and conditions including:
· Bladder cancer
· Cervical cancer
· Esophageal cancer |
· Aortic aneurysm
· Atherosclerosis
· Stroke |
· Peptic ulcer disease
· Poor asthma control
· Stomach cancer |
· Kidney cancer
· Laryngeal cancer
· Leukemia |
· Coronary heart disease
· Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
· Preterm delivery
· Cataract
· Slower healing |
· Lung cancer
· Oral cancer
· Pancreatic cancer |
· Reduced lung function in the unborn
· Impaired lung growth during childhood |
· Pneumonia
· Hip fractures
· Low bone density in postmenopausal women |
| · Reduced fertility in women |
· Coughing, phlegm, wheezing, and dyspnea in children |
· Sudden infant death syndrome |
Statistics indicate that more than 12 million Americans have died from smoking since the first Surgeon General's Report on Smoking in 1964. Another 25 million Americans alive today will most likely die of a smoking-related illness. Smoking "low tar" or "low nicotine" cigarettes does not offer any health benefits.
Since that first report, the U.S. Surgeon General's office has found even greater dangers associated with tobacco use. The good news is, quitting now – regardless of your age or gender – can improve your health status. Dr. Carmona said it is never too late to stop smoking. Quitting smoking at age 65 or older reduces by nearly 50 percent a person's risk of dying of a smoking-related disease. |
